#incest.

grooming is at the crux of vhamithor &. coraline's relationship , that much is evident , it wasn't something that was decided from day one . not in the literal sense &. where his mind was at the time ; there was a time where vhamithor truly looked upon coraline as a daughter &. a daughter only . though it was that which lead to the eventual 'relationship' between them ; it wasn't his intention in the beginning , but it was laid out for him to twist &. morph into something twisted all the same . i do want to point out that it's important to know he didn't have this idea from day one , while it doesn't matter in the end because the father/daughter relationship was then weaponised to his own advantage , it still matters from understanding how he went from point A to B .

instantly put on a pedestal in comparison to his other children ; she was the one whose existence cracked open the cursed dragon ; one that had killed hundreds , perhaps thousands of infants &. caused dragon keepers discomfort before ending up in coraline's cradle . not just a dragon , but one that was the very image of valyria , large , darker than night ; larger than the ocean bed floor . how could he not favour her , when she was the one to prove the balaerys family will forever remained rooted in dragon history forever ? she was , once , just that ⸻ his legacy .

especially as she continued to show promise of becoming a name in the family that would stand out , naturally leading to the praise of the parents for bringing forth someone such as her ; something strange , unsettling ; a child far too smart &. too aware ; connected with the gods in which have not been seen before , not like this ; whispered babble &. candles that flicker &. brighten in whichever room she walked into . A BORN WITCH . . . no , anyone with the drive to make deals with the gods &. shadows can become so , this was natural ; one with the elements , fire following fingers like a brush of paint , the wind around her picking up when in a bad mood ; coincidences , perhaps , but how could it be explained away that with each high strung emotion , you can feel like lightening in the air , even when there's not clouds in the sky , even when safely in the room ? HE WAS A MADE MAN , A KNIGHT ; A WARRIOR , BUT DREAMERS WERE RARE ; THOSE CONNECTED TO THE GODS THEMSELVES ? THAT MEANT HIS BLOOD , HIS , WAS CHOSEN .

it was clear to everyone that coraline was closest to vhamithor , he was never a girl dad , not until her ; pampered &. allowed her leniencies that was near unheard of a maiden , not believing to extinguish that fire that lived inside her , TO DO SO WOULD BE BLASPHAMY . it's clear to see just how early on coraline's high opinion of herself formed , between her father &. the priestess , she didn't have the ability to experience what it meant to just be human , this weight upon shoulders ; HER GIRLHOOD STOLEN BY GODHOOD . having those around her wrapped around her finger , her formative years shaped by temples , worship &. those seeking blessings &. good fortune . legends forming surrounding her , of course encouraged by vhamithor .

though reality would come crashing down for all when questions brought into just if she would wed or not , i truly believe that was the moment vhamithor began to think of wedding coraline himself ; because he could not handle not having her near , nor could he handle the thought of anyone else 'staking their claim' over her , practices were in place in their society where she could go the route of priestess , but it was destiny for coraline to continue their bloodline , their family ⸻ there were royal wombs , THEN THERE WERE HOLY ONES , A GOD TO NOT CONTINUE ITS OWN LINE ? THAT'S A SIN , A TRAVESTY , SACRILEGE . meaning from a young age it was known to coraline that it was not only a duty , but the most important thing that she could ever do ; yet her lifestyle , those around her , made it sound like that it was on her own terms . a gods first right is their own form , yet it seemed when her name day came , turning of age she came , it was not a choice , there was a clock above her head , gogossos looked upon her to secure it's line , given that they had rooted her in their own faith .

the thought of sharing that with anyone else made vhamithor possessive , coraline loves him ; he does not love her , not in the way a father should nor a husband , a failure in both ; through her growth spiritually , physically ⸻ he lost himself in his own reverence , then placed that burden upon coraline . the blame is hers to carry , she should not be so perfect , should she ? she should not be so unworthy for those beyond the house , the family - there is no one she could ever , ever marry that would understand her more than him ; her complexities , her intricacies , her queerness . " such an odd thing , who else would be able to nurture that ? tsk , c'mere , sweet girl . you have me . " he allowed her the choice , but all while he was introducing her to other suitors , he was already planting the seeds of failure ; isolating her , i know for a fact there was a man in the line up she took to , but was diverted away by vhamithor , she trusted him above everyone else &. he weaponised that .

she shows signs of sexual trauma &. manifests in many ways ; hypersexuality , outbursts , panic attacks , shutting down emotionally for long periods of time . which all will be spoken about at length properly in it's own post because i think that deserves its own spotlight . but these moments are swept away by vhamithor " it's just who she is , a little strange ; a little odd , must be all that power inside that her , the mortal form doesn't know what to do with such strength . " overall , the unity is a happy one , at least looking through the scope &. not looking at the greater picture . what's lethal about vhamithor is that he's understanding , caring , frustratingly patient . there have been moments where they've yelled , argued , to be expected ⸻ but he's never raised his hand to her , never gave her any reason to believe he's hurt her , he is the perfect husband , should coraline retell stories even the aware can admit that he treats her with the upmost respect . which is why it would be so hard for her to see just how horrifying her situation is ; not only does she live in an environment where incest is the norm , but because of that she can never understand why this would be the only exception to the rule .