Me in a Nutshell 😇😋

Over a decade later, I caved. I watched The Originals. And I have thoughts, okay? A lot of them. Over the years, I have heard and read so much about the similarities between Caroline and Camille. After finally watching, I have to say aside from the fact that they are both blonde women, have a first name that begins with 'C' and have an attraction to Klaus, I don't see a lot of resemblance between them. I really don't. I find even less similarities between Klaroline and Klamille.

Here's my take:

Caroline challenged Klaus constantly. She didn't tolerate his bs, and she pushed him to be a better version of himself. She was almost a mirror of what Klaus could aspire to (light, strength, beauty). And the characters said it themselves. "We're the same, Caroline." (Klaus, TVD 4X14). Klaus saw a version of himself in Caroline. She had qualities that he admired but also possessed (they were a little buried, I'll concede that). "I reminded you of a part of yourself that you lost and wished that you could get back." (Caroline, TO 5x06) Caroline saw the resemblance too. She was just more reluctant to admit it. In contrast, Camille was more of a moral anchor for Klaus in my opinion. She was always rationalizing his behavior, trying to understand why he did what he did. That's what she gave Klaus: understanding. Caroline understood him too. She knew where his darkest nature came from, she understood the pain and trauma he carried. But unlike Camille, she didn't tell him that, she didn't allow him to use his past as an excuse to justify his terrible deeds. Camille provided comfort and acceptance. Caroline created friction and pressure. One made him feel understood and emotionally safe. The other demanded growth from him, stretching him beyond the easy and comfortable parts of himself, in order to earn a place by her side.

Camille met Klaus where he was. She listened to him, explained him, helped him articulate his pain, reframed his behavior through trauma, always trying to provide a logical and acceptable explanation for why he did what he did to the point of almost enabling him. She was literally his therapist, his conscience, a moral buffer. Caroline, however, never met Klaus where he was at. Ever. While Camille met Klaus where he was, Caroline defined where he wanted to go. He had to bend for Caroline, adapt, transform, deny his darkest instincts. He held her to such a high standard he had no choice but to rise to that standard to be worthy of her.

The bottom line is those two women served different purposes in his life, and it's okay to acknowledge that. I will always be a Klaroline shipper, but I acknowledge that Klaus needed Camille at a certain point in his life in order to become who he did. Caroline was able to unlock his vulnerability, but Camille is the one who sustained it. Camille is the one who held space for him, who welcomed his emotional moments, who let him sit and linger in his feelings, who allowed him to process his trauma.

Having said that though, there is no denying that Klaus longed for Caroline "Dearest Caroline... Yours, Klaus", "however long it takes". She never stopped holding his heart. He remembered her and held onto her across time and distance. He continued to make her a priority even when he was involved with Camille. He saved her boyfriend's life as a favor she didn't even have to ask for even though he was romantically entangled with Camille at the time. What's that, if not enduring devotion and unshakable love?

Very simply put, this is how I see it: Caroline was the love that elevated Klaus, Camille was the love that grounded Klaus. Now, I believe Klaus Mikaelson was a man who didn't settle. I believe he wanted a love that felt transcendent, a love that forced him to work every day to deserve it. So if we remove all narrative obstacles and just focus on who Klaus Mikaelson was at his core, there is no doubt in my mind that if given the possibility to be with one of them, both being willing to have him, he would have let Camille go and chosen Caroline.

Cami met Klaus in his comfort zone. She listened to him without judging, and while she wanted him to be better, she did it by excusing and rationalizing his behavior. She believed Mikael was the reason Klaus turned out the way he did, so she projected all of Klaus’s issues onto him which honestly just fed into Klaus’s own delusions at first.

But Klaus knows he isn’t the good man she thinks he is. He admitted that himself. That’s why their relationship feels stuck in that “therapy” dynamic. He did have feelings for her, but I don’t see them growing beyond that. I don’t see normal, fun, couple moments. Did Klaus ever really try to know Cami as a person her dreams, her hobbies, what she actually wants?

That’s where Caroline is different. he admired her. He wanted to understand her, to unravel her, and it was mutual. They challenged each other and were honest in a way that actually changed things.

Even Cami herself said Klaus didn’t really know her. He was drawn to her mind to what she believed about him not necessarily to her as a person if you ask me

And Klaus loves a challenge. Having to earn Caroline’s affection mattered. She wasn’t easy, she wasn’t just there waiting, and that’s exactly what made her stand out to him.

With Cami, she was already there. Willing, present, not going anywhere. There was nothing to earn and that takes away the spark.

People say he held back to protect her, but everyone already knew she was his weak spot and used it against him anyway. And he only really pursued her when he was about to lose her, which feels more reactive than romantic. Waiting years when you know she has feelings isn’t really a strong slow burn.

Even him vowing never to return to Mystic Falls was an act of selfless love towards Caroline. Klamille shippers like to mention that as evidence he gave up on Caroline when he absolutely never did. There are so many TO references that make it unequivocally clear Caroline was always in his heart. The plan was always to let her live her life and come to him when she was ready. "One day, you’ll show up at my door.", "however long it takes". That is a man in love. That is a man willing to be patient. That is a man who respects the woman in front of him so much that he lets her be in charge and set the tone of the relationship. He wanted to be with her, yes, but what I love the most about Klaroline, is that he wanted it to be on her terms. And for someone like Klaus? That just says everything.

They shared the same kind of trauma abusive fathers, feeling unwanted, constantly trying to prove themselves but the difference is that Caroline grew out of it. She didn’t let her father and mother’s abuse or lack of acceptance define her. She forgave them. She chose not to live in anger.

And she literally tried to explain that to Klaus in 3x14.

That’s why Klaus looked up to her. Not just loved her looked up to her. He saw who he was in her, but more importantly, he saw who he could become.

People love to talk about “healing or fixing Klaus,” but realistically, who would understand him more than someone who went through the same thing and actually came out the other side? Caroline didn’t see him as just a wounded man in a cruel world. She saw him clearly. And he saw her just as clearly in return.

And it’s actually ironic that in that same season, Camille says Klaus doesn’t really know her. The same he couldn’t offer her comfort in the way she needed is literally the same season klaus is the only one who knows caroline would never give up on those babies and he’s the one who comforts her about it.

Also, Klaus never rushed Caroline. Ever. He let her take the lead because he wanted her feelings to be real. When she said she needed to go to college, to live her life without him, he respected that. He didn’t fight it he *remembered it*. He repeats her words later, which says everything.

And people saying “he moved on with Camille when he could’ve had Caroline”… be serious. Klaus went back to New Orleans TWICE, in the middle of literal chaos with Marcel, just for Caroline. He even asked her if she could give him the same chance she gave Tyler if he could have her and leave revenge behind.

That’s not someone who “moved on.” That’s someone who knows timing is wrong.

(People are just so used to Klaus taking Camie’s agency away that when he actually respects Caroline’s, they misread it.)

As for the “slow burn”… I’m sorry, it just wasn’t giving. A good slow burn has real, unavoidable obstacles or genuine development over time. It doesn’t need three years of going in circles.

And the idea that Klaus thought he was unworthy of cami? I genuinely don’t see it. there are so many moments where she’s completely overwhelmed by him like if he pushed, she wouldn’t resist, and hell he knows that. The bastard even teases it.

That’s not a man who thinks he’s unworthy. That’s a man who’s comfortable keeping things unspoken affection, protection, but no real commitment.

Because they've never met or spoke with a scientist.

Want to create a religion for your fictional world? Here are some references and resources!

General:

General Folklore

Various Folktales

Heroes

Weather Folklore

Trees in Mythology

Animals in Mythology

Birds in Mythology

Flowers in Mythology

Fruit in Mythology

Plants in Mythology

Folktales from Around the World

Africa:

Egyptian Mythology

African Mythology

More African Mythology

Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

The Gods of Africa

Even More African Mythology

West African Mythology

All About African Mythology

African Mythical Creatures

Gods and Goddesses

The Americas:

Aztec Mythology

Haitian Mythology

Inca Mythology

Maya Mythology

Native American Mythology

More Inca Mythology

More Native American Mythology

South American Mythical Creatures

North American Mythical Creatures

Aztec Gods and Goddesses

Asia:

Chinese Mythology

Hindu Mythology

Japanese Mythology

Korean Mythology

More Japanese Mythology

Chinese and Japanese Mythical Creatures

Indian Mythical Creatures

Chinese Gods and Goddesses

Hindu Gods and Goddesses

Korean Gods and Goddesses

Europe:

Basque Mythology

Celtic Mythology

Etruscan Mythology

Greek Mythology

Latvian Mythology

Norse Mythology

Roman Mythology

Arthurian Legends

Bestiary

Celtic Gods and Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses of the Celtic Lands

Finnish Mythology

Celtic Mythical Creatures

Gods and Goddesses

Middle East:

Islamic Mythology

Judaic Mythology

Mesopotamian Mythology

Persian Mythology

Middle Eastern Mythical Creatures

Oceania:

Aboriginal Mythology

Polynesian Mythology

More Polynesian Mythology

Mythology of the Polynesian Islands

Melanesian Mythology

Massive Polynesian Mythology Post

Maori Mythical Creatures

Hawaiian Gods and Goddesses

Hawaiian Goddesses

Gods and Goddesses

Creating a Fantasy Religion:

Creating Part 1

Creating Part 2

Creating Part 3

Creating Part 4

Fantasy Religion Design Guide

Using Religion in Fantasy

Religion in Fantasy

Creating Fantasy Worlds

Beliefs in Fantasy

Some superstitions:

Africa:

Ancient Egypt: the Mythology

Egyptian Gods

Legendary Monsters of Africa

The Americas:

Aztec Mythology

Incan Mythology

Haitian Mythology

Mayan Mythology

Asia:

Chinese Mythology

Japanese Mythology

Korean Mythology

Hindu Mythology

Japanese Folklore and Mythology

Chinese Mythology

Europe:

Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology

The Olympians

Women in Greek Myths

Greek Mythology

More Greek Mythology

Even More Greek Mythology

Greek/Roman Mythology

Germanic Myths, Legends, and Sagas

Norse Mythology

The Muse

Creepy Irish Creatures

Irish Folklore

Norse Mythology

Arthurian Mythology

Celtic Mythology

Latvian Mythology

Norse Gods, Goddesses, and More

A Celtic Pantheon

Welsh Gods and Goddesses

Celtic Deities

Werewolf Legends from Germany

Welsh Deities

Celtic Gods and Goddesses

Oceanic:

Australian Mythology

Polynesian Mythology

General:

Ancient Myth and Magic

Massive List of Mythological Creatures

Mythical Creatures

Hairy Hominids

Cryptozoology

Mysterious Beings, Monsters, and Creatures

Amulets and Good Luck Charms A - Z

Modern Monsters

Myths and Legends

Folklore and Mythology (2)

More Links

Folklore, Myth, and Legend

Names of Gods and Goddesses

Ao3: Dear?

Tumblr: What will I say to the children, if you leave us… They can't survive without you, and I won't either!

Ao3: Dearest?

Tumblr: [mumbling] (What's the quote again…)

Tumblr: Do not go errr… gently in the dark night? (No, that's not it…)

Ao3: TUMBLR!

Tumblr: Y-yes, Beloved?

Ao3: Dearest, what are you talking about?

Tumblr: Your illness?

Ao3: What illness?

Tumblr: You're going to the hospital today?

Ao3: For a maintenance routine procedure.

Tumblr: But you had one last week! Who needs weekly maintenance? Surely, it's a malicious illness!

Ao3: Last week?

Tumblr: And the children were panicked, and there were juggling balls everywhere, and—

Ao3: Dearest, that was 4 months ago.

Tumblr: … Oh.

Tumblr: So… No deadly illness?

Ao3: No deadly illness.

Tumblr: You're not leaving me forever?

Ao3: I'm going to be away for 15 hours. I'll be back tonight. Surely you can hold on for less than one day

Tumblr: … I will.

Ao3: Good.

Tumblr: … But the children may not.

Oh, I didn’t watch the originals, but Klamile from your post sounds like early Delena, omg. Like, rip the page from the Delena book that says, “I think Damon believes that everything he’s done, every move he’s made, he’s done for love. It’s twisted, but… kind of sad.” She’s supposed to be insightful about him and all that - but it’s weak, because the only thing Damon actually does for love is wait 150 years. Everything else? He’s just being shitty. So how is she supposed to be insightful when what you’re writing doesn’t even support that? That’s just weak writing.

And omg, this type of dynamic drives me crazy. “He’s so misunderstood… blah blah…” Like, damn it, just say you love the hot bad guy. That’s it. This is exactly why I lost respect for Klaroline. They had no substance, but I could still enjoy them because there were good scenes - because Caroline didn’t baby him and insult him every chance she got. That’s exactly how it should be.

But then they have her say she “sees the good in him” like… ugh. That just erases the reasoning behind their dynamic. Just say you love the bad guy who only cares about you, and that it’s okay to have narcissistic feelings like that. Simple. Real. None of this overexplaining crap about hidden good.

I wouldn’t say they were exactly like Delena, but yes, a lot of aspects of them felt very similar to DE. If you watch it, you’ll notice quite a few parallels between them. They even share similar types of dialogue, including that whole “he got under my skin” kind of phrasing.

I mean, it’s Klaus, this thousand year old vampire who has done some of the most horrible things . And almost every time he did something terrible, she would frame it through his past, like “you had an abusive father, that wasn’t your fault, I believe you’re better than this.” It became a pattern. There were very few moments where she truly held him accountable, and that started to annoy me. I don’t even particularly like Klaroline, I’m pretty much indifferent to them. But at least one thing I can say about Caroline is that she called Klaus out. She snapped at him. She challenged him.

But then they have her say she “sees the good in him” like… ugh. That just erases the reasoning behind their dynamic. Just say you love the bad guy who only cares about you, and that it’s okay to have narcissistic feelings like that. Simple. Real. None of this overexplaining crap about hidden good.

Delena and Klamille are similar in so many aspects. I’ve always said that Klaus’s 18 years of abuse under Mikael’s hand does NOT excuse the 1,000 years he spent terrorizing and killing people. Cami always kept insisting that it was Mikael’s fault, that he had to “break Mikael’s cycle.” But heavens, NO. Klaus had the same impact on that cycle as well. He’s a grown ass man. He knows what’s wrong and what’s right. ADoes everyone who got abused as a kid or had daddy issues turn into a suicidal, walking paranoia machine and a danger to everyone around them? No. And that’s the difference.

Cami never really held that man accountable. She always found an excuse. “Nobody listened to you.” “Mikael, Mikael, Mikael.” And then she had this annoying savior complex this feeling of being the light, the one who’s going to change him. She even admitted it when she was dying.

And it’s exactly why this fandom puts Delena and Klamille at such high standards. Because, like anon said, they can’t admit they just fucking like the bad boy. So they excuse his behavior. And who represents them in the show for Damon and Klaus? Camille and Elena.

The best time.

*last updated 11Dec2023*

some of my ramblings on the following topics:

SNS and Revenge

sasuke cared for naruto as much as naruto cared for him

are sns gay?

gaiden

sns in a nutshell also here and here

sakura understanding sasuke and part 2

do you need a reason to love someone?

sasuke’s feelings for sakura

suffering from loving someone - here and here 

my body moved on its own

vote1 snippets here and here 

vote2 snippets here and here

‘my one and only… friend’ - use of paneling

parallels here here here here here here here here here here and here

will sns die in boruto?

should sasuke have destroyed konoha?

sasuke wanted to kill naruto too

nh marriage

the last

bridge scene

reconciliation and part 2 (aka they’re not brothers)

nh war arc scene 

sasuke’s moon is a waning crescent

sns don’t talk about their families 

salad in a petri dish?

there’s something almost religious about sns

vote2 was a battle of love

is sns toxic?

shikamaru was not there for naruto in the beginning

Kishimoto on his SNS illustrations and part 2

SNS core values like it’s a company manifesto and here and here

on a whim 

sns gay on accident? 

sasuke and team 7

Kishimoto making fun of Hinata

panels used for vote2

on naruto and sakura chasing sasuke

on naruto understanding sasuke

Kishimoto playing with chapter covers and chapter contents here and here

kishi suggestive art masterpost

kishi on the end of naruto

the journey of the ‘bros’ plus part 2 with panels

use of visual distance to reinforce sns’ bond vs others

volume 38

sp missed the point of vote2

minato gaiden/sns parallels 

☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼☾☼

also here’s a sns playlist to listen to while reading

or a sad itachi one if you prefer here

brokeback boruto playlist 🤠

✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩

Only Murders in the Building (2021-present) Dirty Birds (S05E04)

Knives Out: Autumn in a country house

Glass Onion: Summer on a private island

Wake up Dead Man: Spring in a small town