c2e30 00:52:47

like i think on a broad level and probably how the relationship truly started was occtis reminding julien that he (occtis) is a noble, and julien having the realization that in the absence of aranessa, protecting occtis is the closest julien can get to his baseline of normal. julien only knows how to navigate the world as a vassal and a guard - he can be both of those things to occtis. AND occtis, by virtue of being someone destined for his family's noose (again), will invariably get julien within striking range of every tachonis

and im sure that's what julien keeps telling himself every time he puts himself in danger to keep occtis safe, every time he puts aside his vengeance to comfort occtis, every time he yells at someone else in the group for blaming occtis for something, every time he makes a point to meet occtis' eyes and share a moment of understanding

and occtis, for all his claiming that he doesn't like julien, relies on him and trusts him. he knew that julien was waiting to bring him to safety in that battle, he trusted julien to be his shadow when he went back into the manor even though julien explicitly stated he didn't want to be there, he trusted julien enough that, in the face of his father's rage, he leaned into julien for comfort and followed him away to safety

idk if matt and alex are angling for romance, and i don't even care if it ends up being one. whatever occtis and julien have going on is so compelling all i want is for them to follow it organically to whatever conclusion they feel makes the most sense

it’s okay that i don’t have a sewing machine

i love backstitching by hand for hours

this has got to be great for my back

millions of my ancestors did this and they lived almost as long as i want to

"Gone yet not forgotten."

BONUS: Matt’s smirk of approval and Liam confirming canon 😂

more

Loki was the one to lure Idun out for Thjazi in the myth, and he turned into a falcon to retrieve her when the gods found out. Mara inspo perhaps?

The corrupted tower scene of Caleb's childhood at his family's cottage also gives Frumpkin what might be his very first look at the original Frumpkin, who is his namesake and the exact shape of the wound in Caleb's heart that a familiar was first meant to fill. Liam narrates Frumpkin looking at his shadowy original in particular: "Frumpkin, sitting on your shoulder, sits up at attention and cocks his head." This is firstly Liam helping the players understand that this scene is of is Bren's childhood, since OG Frumpkin is there, but it also serves as a genuine reaction. Jester asks, "Is that you, Frumpkin?" and the previously vocal Frumpkin says nothing. And then he watches OG! Frumpkin burn. Woof. (meow?).