I do (Vernetto) spoilers

(may contain spoilers ahead — watch out!)

[Chapter 3-6: Black Sheep Wall] (a general spoiler to Chapter 3 as well!)

I really appreciate the knowledge Vertin provided regarding these specific sort of critters — this depth of knowledge that she holds about Shamir worms definitely hints she pay attention to classes regarding these, or she's simply interested in it; we've been hinted that Vertin enjoys reading unrelated topics to their studies after all (it's in 3.7 be patient).

The detail that Vertin talks about them being advanced critters and elementary arcane skills wouldn't work on them probably hints at the fact that Vertin can't use arcane skill at a certain level of mastery due to her weak ability to cast incantations. It also informs us that there's levels to this, which I find neat when it comes to arcanum mastery.

I also am glad about Vertin's gentle nature to the critters despite her being bitten. Studying life means you must hold an immense respect for all life forms, which also is something you can grasp regarding her personality and characteristics in general! This being natural to her, amplified with her experience as a Timekeeper and losing people makes sense as to why she'd resort to being indifferent to the "Storm" and the world around her as a defense mechanism.

A neat detail that I really liked is that Vertin was easily able to identify what the walls are chemically made out of by simply thinking and acknowledging her surroundings and connecting it with what she knows. PbCO₃ or Lead (II) carbonate also historically known as white lead, is a toxic white solid (as its name suggest) and is primarily found in minerals. Besides being toxic especially if digested, this is bioaccumulative as with many of leads, which is basically just saying that this builds up over time within the tissue of a living organism due to them being unable to metabolize this — Vertin wasn't wrong when she said it's poisonous!

Vertin gathering all these by merely observing and using her knowledge is the textbook example of wisdom, I love the way she uses her knowledge like this! It really shines on her innate ability to make judgements and systemically think as you can tell how well she connects dots. This is like everyone's dream lab partner.

Here comes the details of Vertin integrating more of her knowledge! Vertin has explicitly noted earlier that Shamir worms are historically known to engrave metals and destroy vessels, Vertin coming in to lure them using something that she noticed works against and within them is a genius move! She's incredibly resourceful and combine that with her knowledge about many things, it makes for a fascinating combination within a character; she's not just smart cause she is, there's many representations of how being intellectual shines beyond being academically good within Vertin's character. Little detail I like! Locks also symbolizes protection, security, and confinement across many cultures! Vertin destroying this lock could also be nice foreshadowing and/or build-up detail to her story of her being the Timekeeper somewhere in the near future of her story as she meets The Ring later on and they start to plan ways against the school's rules and regulations. Not only as a symbolism to her breaking free from what Sonetto deems to them as safety (Vertin losing the security the rules provide them as per Sonetto's words), but also her unlocking her potential; one that's taken advantage from her by the Foundation.

(Now I'm not too sure as to why Vertin's examining the lock under the light, but from what I can gather, it's probably to check the components of the lock) Honorable Mention: Frogs!

I can't talk about Vertin and science without mentioning her #1 fixation. Hyla Arborea is the scientific name for European tree frogs, right off the bat, that's already really nerdy of her to know lol

Frogs are really known for being natural foretellers of the rain due to them being sensitive to humidity and barometric pressure — thanks to their skin — that drops when tell-tales of storms roll in (hence, why developing storms are known to start as low pressure areas). This also, of course, hints as a foreshadowing to her eventually becoming the Timekeeper who moves within the "Storm" and being the bellwether for it.

In fact, in folk traditions within Europe, they'd keep European tree frogs in jars or miniature houses to predict rains. In some cases, it's even an Italian tree frog! When the weather is fair, the frogs would stay outside of their enclosure, but goes down to the enclosure (typically filled with water) when rain approaches!

Which may sound really familiar, as Sonetto appears to have done this. Sonetto probably didn't know much of this myth, so she did the best she could by imitating it; as we know, Sonetto isn't as exposed to the outside world (cue in her not knowing that newspapers stain your hands with ink because they used to iron newspapers to set the ink in before use). She's not only doing this to keep the memory of the frog as Vertin's gift, but it's also a nod to the folklore.

(I do hope this frog isn't alive lmao)

I'll paste down a link for a website I found matters of this as I was reading along! There's many studies regarding this, so if you want to do your own research, I highly encourage it. It's so interesting!

A few more stickers of Vertin being with critters; I dub it as her fixation on par with frogs. You'd notice within her wiki that she actually has many arts of her with critters, it's silly! That wraps our analysis for the day

Tree frogs, scones, colorful marbles... The world beyond the school seems far richer than imagined! Please don't be too nervous—this is only an assessment before an adventure. A brand-new journey in life is waiting to begin for you in the days ahead.

If you're still feeling uneasy, take this with you. This notebook once belonged to an outstanding graduate of the school; perhaps it can bring you some inspiration and good luck. Wishing you all the best!"

— translation done by @/yatagarasu_meru on X (twt)

It's so funny that they chose Vertin to represent the National College Entrance Exam in CN when she's really bad academically lmao

And instead of giving her an actual medal, they gave her a motivational speech to hold 😭

Them side by side! Vertin does NOT look entertained

The difference with their text descriptions and they still contain each other's traces I love this so much

I also like how this can imply that she weaponize Sonetto's notebook that she borrows against students, that, or the fact everything about this is past tense, which means Vertin has taken ownership of the notebook lmao

Them and their homoerotic friendship with their shared custody on a notebook

Something about Sonetto working this hard to fulfill her supposed duty for mankind, not only on behalf of the Foundation, but also because it became her goal to do so breaks me. "Sonetto celebrates by diving into even more field missions" as her way of revelling her hard works bro hop into bed 💔

Also! Cooked this up so that they're matching since they're both workaholics, they both need to get some rest

Reverse: 1999 Third Anniversary Special Program 3.7 Version PV — On Another's Sorrow

But make it vernetto (specifically Sonetto centric) (because her fight scene being this animated is so good) (oh and the music is absolutely peak)

Here's where you can watch the entirety of the PV!

3rd Anniversary Special Program — Version 3.7 "On Another's Sorrow" (April 18th)

Virtual Illustration (vernetto solo cameo ong) and 3.7 Poster:

Vertin handles the finances in the Suitcase

"The Art of Reverse: 1999" Sonetto Official Comic

This means so much to me, this means everything to me. I will give a one by one detail by detail as to why

I want to point out Sonetto turning orange (specifically starting from the little medal given to her) as time passes by. According to her Clothing and Torso voiceline: 'The Foundation has provided me with much help, including food, uniforms, education... and goals", it is the Foundation providing her everything she ever needs, I see this as her path in life of eventually becoming part of the Foundation

"A vow for the peace of humanity"

Sonetto then remembering her letters of appreciation as she receives this sort of formal recognition from the Foundation. It could've been one of the letters that she received during her time in the Foundation, which is another nod about her connections with the Foundation — it's nonetheless adorable, she's looking back at her achievements 🥹

Next thing I noticed is her reassuring herself that this is her world, and I think other than the world outside, a world that she alone is centered in a spotlight other than her duties is her first. "The first time performing, the first time dressing up so formally, the first time reaching out to touch this world with her own hands" then following up this performance as a tribute to her classmates, her friends and family, and to everyone.

I interpreted this as many things, but I settled on the thought of her finding that her world is when she's with everyone dear to her is incredibly precious and fitting of her character — considering she's a loner as a child, and now developing her character as she goes alongside the story.

And finally,

Vertin!

Vertin is a character integrated and important within Sonetto's character, she's a mark of many significant things in Sonetto's life. It tends to be a bad thing as characters centered around another's character tends to shadow their own, but foil characters written well as this makes that sort of gesture more enjoyable than plainly centered about someone. Her presence being minimal throughout this comic expresses just that

Aside from that, Vertin is tipping her hat in this panel. Hat tipping is gesture meant as a greeting, respect or to praise someone and say that you approve of or admire something they have done. It involves touching the brim of your hat or raising your hat. Instead of clapping along the crowd, Vertin is doing a gesture of her own, as Vertin has always been an odd one out — this is her expressing herself, her own way of expressing her praise for Sonetto's accomplishments

(I ran out of photo space for Vertin's piece saying that piece but it's somewhere in Artificial Somnambulism trust)

Vertin being here is precious, as she herself wanted Sonetto to see the outside world with her. Sonetto developing her own depiction of what the world beyond what they've known means so much for me (even for Vertin), and for the story as a whole. Look at her character development ❤️‍🩹

Hands down my favorite comic of Sonetto ever. This is such a short read but is incredibly packed with everything she's been through

IT'S OUT THEY'RE MATCHING NOW + a little mix with their countdown arts together

GODS THEY'RE SO PRETTY

Featuring Sonetto's garment: In Praise of Poetry, as well!

"It is said that the world I write down is just my imagination... But how can I get closer to the reality? What is... the boundary between them?"

[Revelry Reversed Mystery Box Carnival]

"Go ahead, they're more than happy to crown you the king" it was Matilda, Sotheby, and Lilya's idea to give her one, but I wonder if this also applies to her childhood friends who got reversed in the storm — I wonder if they'd be just as happy seeing how far Vertin has come

I mean, look at the silly

Sonetto writing her blessings in the crown as nothing more than her act of trust towards Vertin. It's such a simple, short word but it's such a genuine thing to say, especially knowing just how much Sonetto says it

This, paired with the low quality materials used gives it such a feel of how simple yet significant this really is all, including Sonetto's chosen words for Vertin

To think one of her voicelines that doesn't reference any work at all is something personal for Sonetto to Vertin hello, she really means it when she says she believes in her, it's probably the first thing that comes to her mind when she pertains to Vertin in any way

Catching this up before Sonetto's birthday ends — bear witness to this possible garment (?) (and/or an art within the artbook) we'd get in the near future

SHE'S GORGEOUS!!! I HOPE THIS BECOMES A GARMENT

(smite me if it's not a garment I dare you)

AND GET THIS! IT HAS VERNETTO CRUMBS

Vertin's hat next to Sonetto's portrait hello? That's gay. So much elements of Vertin too! The time watch and the color scheme — love how complementary this entire suitcase set is with them

— A sneak peak to Sonetto's piece in the artbook content too! Happy birthday to the best girl you deserve this much content