#rue rants

both of them have character traits which complete the other: kalim is optimistic and empathetic (good for bonding with others, helping them navigate their feelings, and providing hope for them), jamil is reality-grounded and level-headed (good for detecting potential problems and resolving current ones); kalim is overly trusting and incredibly unqualified (bad because it makes him easy to exploit and frustrating to deal with), jamil is paranoid and unempathetic (bad because it makes him come off as very unlikeable at times and results in him using others without much remorse).

kalim provides emotional comfort, jamil provides physical comfort. very cloth mother vs wire mother of them. except, of course, for a healthy dorm balance you need both the solace and the nutrition.

because they enhance each other, they also bring out the worst in each other.

much of jamil's identity is inseparably connected to his status as a servant and the resentment he feels about it. kalim's kindness and forgiveness enable jamil to keep on venting his frustrations cruelly (by asserting his own usefulness as a servant through prohibiting kalim from acquiring actual life skills, rejecting kalim's numerous attempts to resolve whatever it is he can sense is bothering jamil, and unjustly insulting him) rather then productively (by stating his boundaries, drawing the lines, and making direct demands instead of passive aggressive quips).

similarly, because kalim's identity is so tied to his upbringing and status as an heir, he does not recognize the disparity between the two of them and takes jamil's insults in stride, as benevolently as somebody like him should. jamil suffering in silence and stewing in fear prevents kalim from doing something to rectify the wrongs (by finally separating jamil the friend from jamil the helpful servant, which he views as the same) and sanitize the wound (instead of letting it fester).

and then lance. that little inkling of hope. that small, glistening silvery thread of peace. that comforting presence that comes in to scrub away the sounds that echo and the gnats that persist; that warm sip of whiskey that burns away your greatest sins and deepest fears. and suddenly, it seems that every painful, suffocating minute you've suffered, has been worth it, for just this one, glorious gasp of air.

youre allowed to do what you want, and so are other people. if someone is clearly stating a headcanon and has made something that is NOT explicitly canon, while also having an explanation and lore around why things are they way they are s said media? they DONT want you input of 'uhm actually, this isnt accurate to canon' because in all likelihood? they KNOW that! especially if the thing you are complaining about isnt somthing that goes AGAINT the characters personality but is just a shift or a bonus thing added on to make the character their own.