im really sorry if this is offensive or rude in any way but whats the point of ignis being an ro is shes going to be in a relationship with seeker in the end? seems, idk, hurtful for the mc
Nah, it's not rude! Don't sweat it, it's not something I mind explaining, or that I think I've given the needed attention to yet, so I definitely appreciate getting asked about it. This is probably the part of the story that I'm most nervous about, so I'm always interested in hearing y'all's thoughts on it.
So, the thing here is that I find the conundrum that Seeker and Ignis are in kind of interesting. They are blatantly into each other, to the point even people who barely know them (Gloria, for example), can tell immediately. Their pining is clear, and they are both perceptive enough to realize, or at least, strongly suspect, that the feeling's mutual.
And... they don't do anything with that. Because of their own personal issues, true, but they've essentially reached an impasse that neither of them are happy about.
Seeker's grief and his utter devotion to his promises means he refuses to acknowledge his feelings, and Ignis' desire for a safe space where she can have intimacy (both emotional and physical), yet her incapacity to put her own desires and wants as a priority, and her fear of ruining something that's "kinda good but not really what she needs" mean that she doesn't dare present her feelings openly or demand an answer one way or the other from a man whose biggest superpower is how easily and hurriedly he dances away from being serious about anything.
And then in comes the Ignismancer MC, who's chosen to roll the dice despite the blatant writing on the wall.
Anyone that's genre savvy, or has even the slightest bit of knowledge regarding romantic relationships, knows where this ship's heading: Disaster.
But then we come to the crux of your question, namely, "what is the point of an Ignis RO, then?"
And, honestly? To explore what happens when people deny themselves happiness, on the grounds that "they don't deserve it" (Seeker) or that "they're too scared" (Ignis).
Both Seeker and Ignis know the latter's relationship with the MC isn't going anywhere serious (or, well, Seeker knows, and Ignis is slowly accepting it), but they're too scared to back out of a situation that is undeniably of their own devising, and now they instinctively realize that the MC is going to get hurt once they get past their obstacles, because the MC isn't who Ignis wants, and, as Victoria would throw her back out laughing before telling you, Kratis Daimon is far too much a selfish bastard to let anyone else take something (a place, in this case) that he both wants and knows is his.
This, for reference, is something Forlorn is banking on. Note how, at the end of Chapter 4, he all-but promises that he'll help your relationship with Ignis flourish.
As someone who's known Kratis for a decade, and Ignis for half of one, he's perfectly clear that such a thing is impossible.
So what he's planning is, to avoid anyone else getting hurt as these two fools he calls friends continue to flounder, to use the MC as the sacrificial lamb that will lead them to stop denying themselves.
On one hand, that's honestly something Forlorn would do. He's a strategist, above everything else, and unorthodox methods to achieve his goals are how he stayed alive, so this is just him applying his military training to a problem that is absolutely not military, a common fault of his (note his treatment of Aki, for another example).
On the other, it's me, as the author, trying to subtly explain what's the plan, and with all the hints regarding Seeker x Ignis, so that when that penny drops and your relationship shatters, you, as reader, can step back (after a period of anger or disappointment, I suspect and apologize for), and go "okay, this is, at least, in line with what the story kept presenting to me".
Or, in shorter words: The reason for the Ignis romance path is that I want to explore what happens when two people refuse to allow themselves happiness, and just how someone who gets in the middle of that can, and will get hurt.
I definitely understand that such a path isn't traditional, or what a reader of CoG games, or IF in general, would come to expect, and I'd like to think I'm prepared for the flak that I'll undoubtedly (and perhaps deservedly) get over it.
It's a path that has a painful ending, undoubtedly. It's, again, non-traditional, goes against expectations, and presents the player with a situation that doesn't have a solution where they can't pass a check, or choose the correct option, and get what they want.
It is, also, a path full of angst, a breath of fresh air when it comes to relationships, and a path that offers a deeper, more personal, more... honest, I think is the best term, view into Kratis Daimon and Laura Coltello, and how their legitimately common situation can cause pain even in those that both don't deserve it, and no one wanted to hurt.
And, you know, I'm not sure of how good a writer I am, but I hope that I am able to sell the second paragraph well enough to make at least some of you overlook the first one.
I hope that long midnight ramble of mine kind of helps even a little bit explain my thoughts, but if there's anything that you think I didn't address, or even disagree with, please, feel free to send in another ask and I'll try to answer as fast as possible. :))
