Reality Tunnel

| mary has joined the crew 🛰️💫 based off priya kansara ♡

It is one thing to be able to teach effectively, and another to manage a variety of different individuals needs while maintaining engagement. Every skill that Grace uses in his meeting of Rocky, and building a relationship with him, whether he remembers or not, are skills a good educator and mentor uses.

To not assume ill intent. To approach first with curiosity. To explain difficult concepts in a palatable way without condescension or malice. To empathize with one's situation and acknowledge how it may shape one's responses. To exercise patience. To adapt and shift gears in the face of uncertainty. To remain calm in the height of stress and remain a leader.

Grace as a scientist yes, but as a teacher, maintaining an openness to not only work with Rocky, but to also embrace his differences and utilize his strengths to find creative solutions that benefit both of them.

History is fraught with disputes and wars driven by ignorance and sustained by fear of unique cultures and experiences that are different to our own. It is practically in our DNA to reject or fear that of which is different to us, and so it is not weak to trust or to be kind. It is harder to be these things, because the opposing forces come so effortlessly.

Grace's inclination toward 'flight' instead of 'fight' is not an indicator of weakness. It is preservation. It is learned behavior. To take a step back, recalibrate and approach again. You do not win students over by being a fearless dictator. You win them over by treating them like people, and acknowledging where you yourself have room for growth. Ryland Grace is a coward for many reasons that define his narrative, but being trusting and kind are not among them.

the little foot stomps when he says question, which is something he does every time but are infused with actual frustration while he interrogates grace

the sulky way he says no again and again when grace tries to get him to give him a thumbs up

the way grace's voice breaks when we says "we got stars to save."

"need word. to risk self to save other." / "dumb." and then writes brave with this sort of painful pride because he doesnt know yet

the way grace steps away to have a moment to himself

rocky doing the math on his claws. "i can give. i go home six years slower."

the resolve in rocky's voice when he says he couldnt fix his crew but he can fix this, and grace go home

the way grace's breath hitches when he breaks down

"okay."

"i thought you made peace, question?" / "i didnt mean any of that. that's just something you say."

ending with the hug which is plain adorable.

Need to clarify something with the longtime Witch Hat Knowers as a new fan who just caught up

So the Silverwood tree seed - heals the wounds of its host so that it can eventually take root. Qifrey says he has it to thank for *both* his eyes. Which is just a bit confusing... Not sure if he means, the decline of his eyes, or the presence of them (but the right one isn't present, so...? I guess the decline?)

From what I can tell, he: is missing his right eye, and relies upon his left eye, which is declining - possibly due to his aforementioned reliance on it.

The decline of Qifrey's remaining vision seems to be non-magical. But then why is he hiding it from Olly and everyone? Is that not the "condition" he spoke of to Olly? Or is that his condition as a Silverwood host?

His eye symptoms (sensitivity to light, searing pain in waves) seems to be a direct representation of glaucoma to me. As someone who has also experienced that - it's the most common way that people lose vision (usually because they don't realize they have it til it's too late).

Beldaruit's is the first one we see, and it's incredible—and very much akin to a custom wheelchair, comfortable and fit to him, made for daily use. Custas is given a sealchair on loan and it's much more like the big clunky hospital chairs that are difficult to navigate in, not suited or designed for long term use. Custas' chair is fragile and not as capable of getting around, compared to Bel's chair that can go at a full gallop with extra passengers. The discrepancy is deliberate and so painfully reflective of my own experience waiting for a custom chair of my own.

mandatory report to the watchful eye