Having weird taste since 1990

Summary: Cassandra sits in her tower, waiting for her foes to come to her.

@the-writer1988

Like, painfully good.

I always love further exploration of Cassandra's mental state during S3 because honestly the show didn't do the best job at doing it. Understandable given it's a kid's cartoon but god does the fandom provide.

This one specifically I love so much.

One of my theories about the Moonstone is that it enlarges any negative emotion (and perhaps the Sundrop does the same with positive emotions, it would explain how Rapunzel managed to be so happy even through Gothel's abuse). And this fic feeds into that theory nicely (which is a personal reason for loving the fic but one I thought i'd mention).

This fic specifically it feels like Cassandra's mind is almost fusing with the moonstone? Maybe that's an odd interpretation on my part. But like her forgetting Varian's name doesn't feel like something she'd do. No matter how blinded by anger she is. But to the Moonstone he is just 'that boy'.

It feels a bit like Cassandra is trying to fight to regain control, though only very briefly, with mentions of what she 'lost'. But she's also kinda leaning into this loss of control.

She's okay with the anger even she knows it's there.

I'm probably putting meaning not intended onto this writing, but that's because the shortness and perhaps to some degree vagueness is what makes is so good.

I love a piece of writing that five different people could read five different ways.

I leaned into my own theories with this one. Things like Cass no longer needing to eat or sleep, being powered by anger and so on. Cass almost fusing with the moonstone (and a part of her trying to resist) is exactly what I was aiming for, so I'm glad you noticed that.

OHHHH MAN this is always such a fascinating question to me, I love thinking about the mindtrap and its aftermath.

It's an unpopular opinion in fandom, but I'll die on the hill that I think Quirin would have the easiest time forgiving Cassandra because of his experience with Varian. Cass isn't that much older than his son (and at Quirin's age, they're both babies to him) and he sees Varian in her; they committed many of the same serious crimes against the kingdom and were both forgiven and given a second chance.

Similarly, I think Quirin would feel immense gratitude that Rapunzel, as queen, is kinder and more willing to let go of the past so people can redeem themselves. With his perspective and knowing about Varian's experience, maybe Quirin is also better able to understand how a difficult relationship with her father and feeling betrayed by the princess could push Cassandra to do what she did. Again, she and Var are similar. Of course he's not going to welcome Cass with open arms post-series or instantly forgive her, but I think Quirin is the best equipped to see the big picture and realize she can change and become her best self.

Adira seems very pragmatic, to me. I think she's wise and worldly enough to understand that her and Hector's forgiveness isn't a requisite for Cassandra redeeming herself, and punishing her wouldn't bring justice or healing. If Cass is able to grow as a person and do good in the world as a knight or adventurer, Adira would respect that- but I don't think she would want to have any sort of contact or relationship with her even so.

Honestly, I think Adira could probably forgive Cass taking the moonstone? But not her use of the mindtrap. The mind control is too big a violation of bodily autonomy.

Of the three of them, I think Hector would unsurprisingly have the hardest time making peace with what happened and moving on. I don't think he could ever forgive Cassandra, and he would resent that she was allowed to just walk away after what she did. He's too intensely loyal and his way of thinking is too black and white.

I think he would barely, barely be able to maintain civility and refrain from attacking her on sight, but only because he knows how important Corona is as an ally to the Dark Kingdom and he doesn't want to jeopardize that diplomatic relationship. He also doesn't want to be the weak link and disappoint Edmund by lashing out- although I think there's a part of him that would be hurt and confused that the others seem so willing to let it go when he was a victim.

Something I also don't see mentioned often- Hector also attacked the group and nearly killed them at the Great Tree, and he's never held accountable or punished for it. I think being allowed to have a fresh start goes both ways, and with time maybe (big maybe) Hector would be able to appreciate that.

You saw my old doodle dump post w/ Moon Cass being mean to Hector lmao, and in an AU (alternate universe) with a darker tone where she was crueler to him and/or Adira while they were in captivity, obviously there'd be more trauma to deal with and a longer recovery process.