#rafalear

Rafalear textposting (which is mostly just dragging Rafal, but with the greatest of love), Part Two.

Rafal: I’m being nice to you. Have I stabbed you?

Alear: No, you didn’t stab me-

As to WHY he thinks this is a correct course of action. I am partial to the idea that yeah, it’s just a uniquely Rafal idea which manifested in his brain. Never forget how you picked the most dramatic freak on the Somniel to lock in with.

BUT I also like the thought that maybe it’s a remnant of some old tradition? Like several thousand years ago – before the war which wrecked literally every single dragon culture in Xeno Elyos – it was an actual Thing, for courting dragons to trade meaningful gifts/use keepsake boxes for gifts, made from their own scales. There’d be a certain amount of posturing in showing that yeah, I scored a mate who’s got awesome transformation powers, they’re strong enough to lose a few scales and not even care about gaps in their armour, and what’s more intimate than keeping a token of love in a box that’s literally made from your own body? Thus, Rafal thinks his scale box is an old-fashioned romantic gesture, which only a fellow dragon would truly appreciate.

Alfred always has a great love for life. He's surrounded by people who support and cherish him, he makes new friends easily, he wants to grow into a better king and guide Firene through many years of peace and happiness. He's glowing with enthusiasm, full of dedication. He really wants to be here! He's still got do much to do!

The problem, as we all know, is the physical affliction which has plagued him since childhood. The problem that all his exercise and training is striving to keep at bay, while he puts on a brave face and insists he's fine. Without help, his body will eventually give up on him, and all the human willpower in the world can't keep it going.

As recently mentioned, my belief is that the Pact Ring acts as a conduit, for what becomes a type of life-support magic. It's said in his paired ending, that his long life is a direct blessing from the Divine Dragon. Alear lets him experience the bright future he always hoped to see.

Through Alear's love, all things are possible, so note that down.

Rafal, however? His physical state isn't in question. He's one of the most powerful beings in Elyos. A royal dragon who crushes enemies with ease, and should have millennia still ahead of him. Reviving Nel may have drained some of his magic, but evidently he's in far better shape than Lumera was after reviving Alear.

The problem with Rafal, is mental health. He was a 'miserable and lonely child'. He spent a thousand years under a curse which turned him against the only person who loved him. He asked her to kill him, and smiled in relief when he thought she was going to! He spent a thousand years in solitary confinement, with no reprieve from self-loathing. He sees himself as irredeemable and undeserving of kindness. I strongly suspect that his solo battle, against whatever eventually killed him, was a deliberate choice to bring his life to an end.

The Pact Ring is significant for him, because of the feelings behind it. A partner who chooses him above everyone else, and swears to never leave his side (and won't be taken by time either, since they're both dragons). Alear helps inspire the will to live, and persuades Rafal that he is actually worthy of love and happiness.

Supporting from the shadows presumably means he doesn't have official duties as consort or whatever, he doesn't want to raise himself up on a throne beside Alear. That's not a type of power he has the slightest interest in, and no doubt he'd argue that he's a terrible person to be entrusted with such. But like, he's still present in the castle. Anyone with eyes is going to notice that alongside the Divine Dragon Monarch, there's this other royal dragon who obviously has something going on with him, but 99% of the time he just seems to hang around looking pretty?