Ok so Imma talk about the Vega/Shah situation because what do you MEAN.
So first off I am aware that the Vega/Shah ship in the books is tertiary at best. It doesn't get any direct mentions till Storm of Sharks and basically doesnt get revisited till War of the Werelords so I understand my analysis here is gonna be short some data points. But hear me the fuck out.
A quick timeline
Rise of the Wolf
-Casper gets introduced. His backstory summarized is 'I am an orphan. Vega raised me. Im pretty sure pirates killed my parents but idrc I got a lot going on Im twelve'
Rage of Lions
-Casper is hanging out while the daddy lords and Vega are fucking up the Highcliff situation. Bad job done by all. Its not really relevant to the analysis I just like complaining .
Shadow of the Hawk
-Shah and Griphyn don't get NEARLY enough screen time. Like its actually criminal. Theyre incredibly cool characters. We kinda just zoom straight through their backstory.
- the tidbits we get are 1. Shah had a kid with an unnamed asshole 2. She gave up said kid and sent him to live with his dad. 3. Her and Griphyn both regret that decision massively and have no idea of the kid is ok then Griphyn DIES without ever finding out if his grandson is ok.
Which is OH MY GOD so tragic. But anyway more data to see.
Storm of Sharks
- we get a series of revelations. 1. Casper is a werehawk. 2. Vega KNOWS WHO HIS MOM IS AND DIDNT TELL HIM WTF VEGA. 3. Drew tells Vega where Shah is and what was up with the whole situation 4. Vega tells Drew he left Shah behind back when they met in Omir. He still loves her but what can you do?
War of the Werelords
- Oh it turns out what you can do is NOT BE AN ASSHOLE LOSER VEGA! There is a conversation between Shah and Vega where it turns out she ASKED him to get her out of the whole slavery situation. He instead fucks off out to sea. Then when he receives Casper he proceeds to NOT GO FIND SHAH even knowing odds are shes probably still enslaved and would like him to come get her out of the situation.
- Vega then proceeds to not tell Shah her kid is alive and well. To I dont know, make the reveal better later or something? What the actual hell dude thats not a good reason. If you dont have the kid then the only thing she can assume is that the merchant that was supposed to give him to you fucked up so her kids probably dead. THANKS FOR THAT VEGA.
- does the reveal. Introduces Casper and Shah. Cool I guess if you ignore the fact that he literally lied to both of them and told them both separately the other one was dead or lost.
- Vega fakes his death (for some reason?) And fucks off into the sunset with his hawk girlfriend and hawk son. Good for them I guess.
Overall notes: Vega handled every aspect of this situation horribly and I have receipts.
1. Didn't even consider going after Shah at any point even though he claims he never stopped loving her......bruh
2. Lied to Casper at every turn. Told him both his parents were dead. Then admits hes his dad only after its painfully obvious kids a Werelord. Then doesnt tell the kid who his mom is until he's staring her in the face. Dramatic reveals may be fun but thats a child Vega. What the hell.
3. Sees Shah again. Instead of apologizing and immediately telling her how her child is ok, elects to lie to her about the whole thing. Says he doesnt know where the kid is. Even if you didnt want to get her hopes up or something thats shitty dude.
4. Djogo stabs Vega at the end because he perceives him as a threat to Shah. I would like to note that while Opal is mostly to blame for that perception, nothing Vega did in any way helped the situation. Hey maybe if you were good to her then the gladiator dude might have been more doubtful about killing you. But nope, you had to be an asshole and now youre stabbed. Whoopsie.
Isn't over. I dont hate Vega as a character but GODDAMN is it hard to root for this relationship. Leave 👏 him 👏 babe. Find someone who has his shit together.
