Y'know what, I've got a question too ✋
So canonical Second might as well have the personality equivalent of a few faintly sketched out lines, the directive being the most concrete thing about them. As a result, everyone's takes are going to be different, some of them wildly so- and all of them are equally valid. Mine is different from yours (and I thank you for the kindly correction in the tags that one time -salutes in spotsupstuff-) and I'd like to know your Sec better.
What is your idea of their self? What do they like, dislike, fear, hope for- do they have any set goals outside of the directive? Since they can be a funny little Hollow parallel, how well do they know themself, how versed are they in wielding their own emotions? What is their instinctual response to surprising stuff (like Hornet's would be whipping out her needle in focused self-defense- would it be brandishing its blades in a programmed way or would they be tinted with caution, fear, determination, nothing at all)?
ahaha you've quite possibly caught me at a bad time if you want definitive answers for these! I haven't got them completely figured out yet. a lot of the way I think about them is putting them in situations by drawing or writing something so how I see them is changing as I get to grips with how I think they'd act. but I'll give answering a go!
my idea of their sense of self:
I’ve seen stuff around about silkflies being souls for the cogworks and not just power sources. I’m not sure if this is canon or just popular au bc I’m still in act 2 so a few of my opinions will change if/when I find out more about that
that said: I think second sentinel sees themself as part of a set, and thinks that without the other sentinels they’re broken/less effective
from a more emotional perspective, they are incredibly lonely. “awake… alone… forever?” really got to me ok
what they…
like:
their proficiency with their scissorblades. but I think that’s because they are satisfied to be able to use them well to fulfil their duty rather than any sense of pride at having mastered a skill. I don’t doubt it would have even occurred to them yet that they can take pride in the things they’ve trained to be good at
dislike:
being “ineffective.” they hate being impaired in any way that stops them accomplishing a goal or an order.
failure. would they have any way to measure their worth beyond what they can achieve?
that said, they know their skills and weaknesses well and dont blame themself when they can’t do something that’s too hard for them.
for example, if they were to get damaged and be unable to fight properly, they wouldn’t be ashamed of getting repaired, but would hate not being in peak condition until it happened. they might blame themself for taking the hit that caused the damage, but not for the damage itself. as much as they dislike the fact, they understand that they are fallible.
fear:
betraying the citadel. because deep DEEP down they know they have wants that deviate from their role as a protector. and they don’t want to acknowledge those. bc they would see that as betraying the whole reason they exist
so they squash down lots of their desires
hope for:
I’M NOT SURE YET
set goals outside of the directive:
do you mean by their creators or by themself here? Because i might be a fool but I’ve been assuming that their directive is to follow orders and protect the bugs of the citadel and that’s about it
during and post canon imo they protect others because it’s their duty, and that protection “officially” only extends to the holy bugs of the citadel
however, the sentinel wouldn’t stand by while someone’s getting hurt unless they were explicitly ordered to. i think they’re kind and want to help others where they can
they also protect the bodies of the other sentinels. they are VERY serious about this duty and would kill any scavengers without hesitation. they tell themself it’s because the sentinels were once part of the citadel that they are charged to protect but it’s actually a way they’re dealing with their huge well of grief which they totally don’t ever think about
further development i want to give them would be about realising all the small ways that they’ve built a personality out of their directive
how well they know themself:
haha. they know their physical capabilities VERY well
and they’re super familiar with what they can and can’t do under the constraints of their directive
emotionally? not so great
they know they don’t like seeing people in danger and they feel like they have a duty to protect them
they know they’re prone to holding grudges and they know they don’t have a problem with killing under certain circumstances
imo they have killed in self defence and defence of others and situations where they felt it was a proportionate response (eg: vengeance)
i think they have also killed on orders without questioning it. this is something that i want them to examine more as they grow emotionally and get some distance from the whole “the citadel can do no wrong” mindset
the sentinel squashes down a lot of their more “individual” thoughts until they can pretend they don’t exist because they make them uncomfortable
their instinctual response to surprising stuff:
draw their blades THEN evaluate threat level THEN attack if necessary. a lot of surprises in their life have been less than pleasant but they were also around other bugs a lot so couldn’t stab first ask questions later
they’re immediately on guard.
