#looooong answer

In season 1, Alec’s choice to go along with Clary’s transgressions put the Lightwoods in a dangerous position in the eyes of the Clave. Alec chose to disregard protocol in benefit of what Clary (and, consequently, Jace) wanted to do. That was Alec engaging with his character flaw: utter compliance (in this case, to whatever his Parabatai wanted).

Alec, then, got narratively punished for it; his family lost the Institute. Alec decided to push back and stroke a deal with the new HotI. At this point of his arc, we see Alec breaking with his initial mistake: blindly going along with his Parabatai’s actions. However, Alec was still being utterly compliant; only this time it was to the unfair rules of the Shadowhunters.

Once again, Alec was narratively punished. He lost his closest allies, Jace and Izzy, and was about to lose his love interest. If he kept on that path, Alec would be completely lost. That’s when he broke with his character flaw and defied the rules he perceived as wrong. He made up with his Parabatai, finally balancing out their bond to equals, and chose his happiness, represented by Magnus. Arc complete: Alec went from utter compliant to defiant of things he perceives as wrong.

Clary’s journey, on the other hand, was not kicked out by anything she did, but by external forces. Jocelyn had robbed her of her identity, the Lightwoods showed her the Shadow World, Valentine kidnapped her mother. None of that was Clary’s fault, none of that was fueled by her character flaw. But they are her problem to solve.

So Clary goes about solving them. She has a clear, plot-driven goal: saving her mother. She gets allies and foes. She makes mistakes but also she does right things. She goes from Mundane to Shadowhunter. But none of that* engages with her character flaw, which is being selfish. The only narrative “punishment” that Clary gets is losing Jace at the end of the season - and even that is not her fault. It’s Valentine’s for lying to them about a supposed familial bond.

When Clary gets Jocelyn back, we are happy for her, sure. But we are not satisfied as an audience because we didn’t see her inner transformation. We didn’t see Clary learning that her actions have consequences and that she can’t just do whatever she wants/needs without thinking about the people being affected by her actions. Thus, it is a less satisfying story even if Clary gets her goal at the end.

Botta and his team had managed to modify the mana reactor whileLloyd and his friends fought their way to Rodyle. Unfortunately it seemedRodyle wasn’t willing to go down alone, and had triggered the ranch’sself-destruct. Botta had spent weeks studying the stolen blue prints of thisranch and knew exactly what was coming. The sea would wash in, destroying thetechnology and paper research, and triggering further destructive fail safes.Those caught by it would drown.  Heshuddered involuntarily. It was a painful death, and one he had always feared.He’d face that fear now though, for the sake of the Renegades and their goals,yet but also for the sake of Lloyd and his strange ensamble of unlikely heroes.None of them should have gotten caught up in this in the first place, and hewasn’t about to let them perish in such a way. They reached the control room tosee Raine desperately attempting to stop the self-destruct.  He brushed off Lloyd’s comments and theother’s relieved looks and order them aside, keeping his usual blunt manner andtaking over at the console.

‘I’m sorry Lloyd, but sometimes sacrifices are unavoidable.’ Hethought as he watched the last of the group clear the room before sealing thedoors.

He fought back a bitter laugh at the attempts of the boy and hisfriends to break an entrance back in a futile effort to rescue them. Howsimilar they really were at the core of all things. He would have done the samehis place, and had in past. It was a bitter end, but with the way the groupthought of him as an ally if not friend despite their past conflict. He wasglad, really that they could part decently.

“Our goal was to modify each ranch’smana reactor in order to fire mana at the Great Seed. Now that we’ve finishedreprogramming this control room, our mission is complete. We need you to getthe message to Yuan that we have succeeded.”

He kept his composure, despite the fearthat welled in him like the water filling the room. His companions somehow alsomanaged to keep it together, despite the rapid approach of their deaths withunforgiving rising water.

“Tell him yourself!” Lloydscreamed from the other side, frantically clinging to the hope of saving them.

“We pray for your success inregenerating the world.”

To whom Botta wasn’t really sure. Even asa child, the folk he grew up with had little time for the Church of Martel, andheld to fragments of far older beliefs. The Summon Spirits were hardly godseither though, if they even still listened, and the Renegades didn’t have the luxury to put much to fate and faith.But if there was someone or something listening, perhaps they would give thesekids and their friends a break for once.

“Please see to it that Martel isallowed her eternal sleep, for Yuan’s sake as well.”

Yuan deserved closure, a chance at a newbeginning, as much as any of them, even if he didn’t believe it himself. Withthat Botta dropped the steel shutters. He knew not being able to save themwould haunt those kids. They didn’t need to watch them die as well, and hiscompanions deserved to keep their dignity.

They had moved up to the highest platformin the room, a narrow catwalk along the wall, really. A futile effort. Rodylehad reinforced the base well, there would be no loose paneling or other wayout. It was a cage for them to drown in. It bought them a few more moments,that’s all. Botta turned to his companions. They had removed their helmets,revealing similar expressions, grim, but defiantly triumphant even in the faceof the end. The man, Eon, had been with in the same training group as Botta,back at the very beginning. They were some of the last of their group, mosthaving died in the effort long before. The other was Sara, a young woman Bottahad recruited himself, a brilliant engineer and programmer on top of her combatskill. Botta let out a shaky bitter laugh as they watched the water level rise.

“How ironic. I spurned my family’straditional occupation and lived for years in the desert. And yet at the endit’s the sea, like it was from my grandfather, father, and brother. Like somany in our family.”

‘What came from the sea, returns to thesea’ The ancient words of wisdom from the seafaring people came back to hismind.

“I’m sorry I had to drag you with me inthis.” Botta said, barely able to meet their gaze for once.“And I won’t thinkless of you if you want to take the quicker way out. Drowning is hardlypleasant.”

It could take a while, and instinctively aperson would struggle, even knowing it was meaningless. And even if you didn’tdrown right away, hypothermia would quickly set in and take effect. All thesame, they merely shook their heads, Ion laying a firm hand on Botta’s,shoulder, and bit of a reach for the shorter man.

“I meant what I said all those years ago.To the very end, whatever it may be.”

Sara nodded in agreement.

“ I’m not afraid. Not really. Notanymore.” She stated, an odd serenity about her. “Lloyd and his friends willescape, and the mana canon survive, and with that so does our hope. Even if Idon’t get to see it, if there’s hope for a better world for my younger siblings,it’s enough for me.”

Of course there was still a chance thateverything could fail, but no one would bring that up now. Better to die withhope and believing it had been worth something.

“It’s been a pleasure and an honour.” Eon’sgrin lacked a bit of its usual carefree energy, but there was no doubt to thesincerity of his statement.

Theother’s echoed his sentiment as he reached into a pouch on his belt and drewout a flask.

“Asgard rum,” he said. “Finest drink in all theworlds. Puts those from Palmacosta, Flanoir and Mizuho to shame.”

“A bold boast.” Botta replied, barking outa laugh at the absurdity of the situation, and with perhaps a rare hint of hometownloyalty.

The water was creeping up the edges of theplatform now

“I’ve tried them all.” His friend saidwith an air of authority and mischief, though his expression wobbled slightly.“ I’ve got enough for all of us to have a good swig, and it’s not like we’veanything better to do. So how about a toast? To Lord Yuan and our fellowRenegades, and the brat and his friends too. May they all continue to be thornsin the side of Cruxis and bring that bastard Yggdrasil down. And may they alllive to see this pay off, long into the new world.”

With a laugh they cheered his toast, and passed the flaskbetween them, barely heeding the water that now reached just under Botta’sknees, numbing their legs and quickly rising. Somehow, despite everything, theyfaced the end with light hearts and their heads held high.

****************************************************************************************************

Botta was vaguely aware of someone lingeringover him. He felt warm and light, and was puzzled, as he knew he ought to havedrowned. He vaguely recalled strong arms around his torso, but that couldn’thave been right, that control room had been a tomb.

“he’swaking up”

“Are you sure it’s alright? If he wakes uphere-“

“He’ll not stay for long, the boy’s asstubborn as the earth itself.”

“Thank heavens”

“Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. Guesssomethings never change.”

Those voices. Two familiar women, ayounger man and an elderly one. He knew them, but they shouldn’t have beenthere. They’d been lost long ago.

“Mom? Dad? Granddad?”Botta blurted,struggling to rouse himself and sit up, despite the spinning sensation itbrought. “Ari, is that you?”

“Easy, Bo, you’ve been through a lot, andeven spirits and mana can get scrambled by that.” Another male voice

“Bryden?!”

No doubt in his mind it was his brother’svoice, but he had been dead for decades. They all had. Slowly he began to graspit. He had drown, after all.

“Yup, we’re all here!”

Botta was finally able to open his eyes andlook at those around him, and his eyes quickly found the recent speaker. Ayoung half-elf girl with curly black hair and large violet tinged grey eyes.

“Liari…”

“ You don’t need to say thing, Botta. Inever blamed you, no one does.”

“Unfortunately he blames himself, and goodluck getting through his thick skull.”

Looking up he spotted a handful of fallenRenegades mixed in with his family, spread out through what looked like a roomin the old house he lived in as a boy, and thought he could hear the voices ofmore he could not see. A hundred emotions swirled through his head at once onseeing his dead family and friends again. Regret, guilt, unspoken apologies fornot having done more, but also joy. He could found no words, but merely scoopedhis little sister close in his arms, burying his face in her mess of dark curlsas he choked back a sob. She squeezed him back tightly, but at the same time shefelt insubstantial. In response to his puzzled expression his grandfather spokeagain.

“Like I said, earth is stubborn, lad. Youowe your tenacity to it, and it clings to you as well. It’s not over for youyet, thank the Spirits.”

“Like we always said, too stubborn to die.”One of the fallen Renegades laughed.

Botta hear an odd sound suddenly, muffledand not quite comprehensible to him. There was a dull ache, not quite a truepain that followed quickly after.

“ Looks like it’s time for you to go.” Hisbrother said with a sad smile.

‘-tta!’

“But I…”

He had been ready to die for his beliefs,for a chance at a better world for the others. Not that he had wanted to dieneedlessly, but he had done his part, hadn’t he? He had his family here, andfriends long lost.

“What about the others, Bo? “Liari hadalways had an uncanny ability to read his thoughts. “ You still have friendsleft, and family in way.”

‘-up!’

“ She’s right you know. You’re a Renegade,and that makes you family. Yuan and the others are still there for you. EvenLloyd and his friends, in their odd idealistic way, have come to care aboutyou.”  The man had been a Renegade whohad fallen in the Tower of Salvation, as they had rescued the group.

‘ –wake up!’

“We’ll be here when the time comes, dear, but you still have plenty of lifeleft to live. It’s alright.”

His mother wrapped her arms around bothhim and Liari, placing a kiss on his temple, and his father quickly followedsuit.

“ You swore an oath after all, to work tobetter world, for everyone. Your work’s not done yet.”

“ And you better not be in a hurry to getback, you got me Bo?” Bryden scolded, a lopsided grin on his face though Bottacould see tears beginning to well up in his eyes. Botta chuckled weakly, and blinkedback tears of his own.

“ Remember what we promised, littlebrother?” Arianne had been an informant within the Desian ranks when she wasdiscovered and killed. She had been one of the last ones standing of theirfamily, along with himself.“ ‘Live the share of those we’ve lost as well.’ I’mgoing to hold you to that promise. Things is changing, perhaps for the betterthis time. We love you, baby brother, but if you give up your chance to see everythingpay off, so help me, I’ll find out if it’s possible to kill a ghost.”

‘-otta! Damn you, wake up!’

The voices of his friends and family werebecoming more distant now, and he could barely feel the arms of his familyaround him anymore, though he was certain they held him as tightly as the could

“Goodbye, old friend. Give our regards to Yuan and the others.”

“ And remember, you promised!” Liari’svoice called, even as she faded from his arms.

“I will.”

**************************************************************************************************

Botta quickly became aware of the smell ofthe sea, even before he opened his eyes. The next thing he became aware of wastwo frantic voices coming from either side of him, and a feeling like a bruise buildingon his chest.

“Calm down, you’re not going to be able to beat him back to life - .”

“SPIRITS DAMN YOU, YOU STUBBORN, ANNOYING, SON OF A BITCH! YOU CAN NEVER DO ANYTHINGHALFWAY, CAN YOU? WELL YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED TO DIE NOW, YOU BASTARD!”

He became aware of Sara’s fist coming downtowards his chest in frustration, and surprising even himself, he brought up ahand to block the blow.

 “Or maybe you will?” Eon said in surprise and puzzlement.

“ Don’t insult my mother, Lieutenant.” Hesaid, his voice raspy and his throat still stinging from saltwater, as he triedto prop himself up with his other arm. “Nor my father. Insult me, fine, butleave my parentage out of it.”

He didn’t even have time for his eyes toadjust to the light, let alone sit up properly, before he was tackled back tothe ground by the other two Renegades. He wince as he collapsed back againstthe rocky ground he had apparently been laying on, but couldn’t help thelaughter that escaped him as his friends crushed him in a hug. They were alive,salt stained and shaken, but very much alive. Botta finally was able to sit up,blinking against the dazzling light of the setting sun over the ocean.

“ Where exactly are we, do you reckon?” Eonasked, finally taking in their surroundings now that both his companions wereawake and well.

Botta studied the coastline, and blinkedin surprise as he recognized it.

“A few hours down the shore fromPalmacosta.”

“What?! But Rodyle’s ranch is on theother- how did-how are we-who …”

Itseemed everything was beginning to register at once, now that the initial panichad subsided.

“Sir, what’s that?” Eon asked, indicatingan object Botta had apparently been clutching in his hand.

Botta opened his hand and stareddumbfounded at the object that lay in his hand.

“ A mariner’s charm, commonly worn by Sylvarantiseafarers who still hold to older customs than the Church of Martel and revereUndine and the spirits of the sea.”

He turned the pendant over in his hand.Carved of pale blue coral, with silver holding a piece of aquamarine in place,and an inscription in an old language long unspoken other than in seafarer’ssong to Undine. There were a few scratches at spots, not from ware, but from aclumsy carver still learning the skill, a contrast to the far most experiencedcarving of the inscription. A fond smile formed on Botta’s lips. He stillremembered nicking himself as his grandfather helped him carve it, a birthdaypresent for his older brother before his first real trip out to sea. Herecalled the strong arms he had felt seize him as he drown, and was certain heknew how it had got back to him.

‘Thanks, Bry.’

He slipped the charm around his neck andtucked it beneath his collar before carefully getting to his feet.

“ If you think you two can walk, I suggestwe find somewhere to rest and get food.” He said with a half grin, offeringthem  each a hand up. “ We may as wellrest while we can, I have the feeling there will be a lot of questions fromYuan and the others.”

“Food sounds like a brilliant idea.” Sarasaid by way of answer.

“ And a bath and fresh clothes. I feel Ihave sand and salt everywhere.” Eon added, prompting his friends to burst outlaughing.

I heard that autistic Jotaro is a well known (head)canon out there though, and I definitely can see it. It’s a bit strange for me to read fans citing his disrespectful behavior towards his mom (and girls/women in general) as a social cue he struggles with due to autism/aspergers. That is totally valid, although for me it’s important that boys, autistic or allistic, learn how to treat women with dignity (TANGENT ASIDE)

Something I thought about Jotaro is how much of a dork he is (because let’s face it? So far all the JoJos are dorks one way or another). It just doesn’t show on his face or his tone. And like for me, I find expressing myself through text (online or phone) somewhat more true to what I am thinking and emoting at the time, because majority of the time, I still don’t make much of a change on facial expressions. When I do though...it’s like I flipped a 180, with exaggerated expressions, and louder, excited voices. Not that we ever see Jotaro to that degree...but honestly I would NOT be surprised he has those behind the scenes (with more padded characterization!!!)

Also which is why he thinks people will understand him, because in his mind, his thoughts and emotions are getting across just fine; but externally, people who don’t know him remain clueless. Holly is an extreme example of both knowing what he truly thinks, and what he isn’t (but again, weird misogynistic writing comes in play??? IDK???) I really do think she can understand him on his wavelength like what Joseph and his pals could.

Wearing his hat is more than just a fashionable thing (though it is), it is definitely something that he feels good with, so wearing it gives comfort.

Also in Part 4, when he goes hunting with Josuke, we get this scene where he tells Josuke to tone down his noises. And his “uncle” is all “how could he hear it when it seems so quiet??” I mean, then again, Jotaro has plenty more experience remaining hidden, but perhaps he has acute hearing.

I also am fond of thinking about Kakyoin as falling on the autistic spectrum. Like, you can see his tale of growing up and choosing to be isolated because of this Stand he was born with as a metaphor of an autistic child growing up realizing they think differently/process and experience their world differently than their peers, and feel some shame because of what allistic society tells them.

Jotaro’s special interest is marine biology. Kakyoin enjoys sharing trivia of cultural practices - so traveling makes him happy. (It is also an escapism for him...it still distresses me that he essentially abandons home and his parents!!).

Also, this guy loves cherries. Rolling them in his tongue is excellent stimming for him. Jotaro isn’t put off for so long, cause he does understand Kakyoin’s patterns.