#smolnetto

The top student is now the assistant to the worst student?? How did she end up in that position?

I have a feeling this might break Vertin's heart, but she's understanding. She and Sonetto had a complicated relationship before the break away event.

Post break-away Sonetto is the opposite of pre-break away where she and Vertin are almost inseparable. Sometimes you realize how important something is to you once you lose it and I hc Sonetto that way. The fear after hearing what happened to her classmates and the relief that Vertin is still alive. She's not going to let her Smoltin go after that.

But pre-break away still doesn't quite understand her feelings toward Vertin. She always puts up with Vertin and never snitches. When they talk she always brings in Vertin's well-being into account, like Vertin being punished or facing the dangers outside. She cares about Vertin a lot but the Foundation wants her hate everything Vertin stood for. She shouldn't like the troublemaker but she can't stop caring about her.

That being said, it's possible Vertin sometimes wonders where Sonetto's affection and admiration comes from. For example, does her protectiveness stem from guilt because Sonetto helped them "escape"? While Sonetto cares about her, maybe it's not actually because she "likes" her but because she feels responsible for her. Since Sonetto herself doesn't quite understand her own feelings, this gives Vertin doubts at times. However, regardless of why Sonetto chose to stick by her, her assistant is reliable and loyal so that doesn't matter (or so she tells herself like she doesn't dwell on it in AS or in her daily life. It's literally a point of trauma for Vertin).

Anyways, I'm thinking of an interaction where Smolnetto and Vertin are talking because despite the awkwardness, she has questions! Vertin answers calmly and kindly and Sonetto remarks on how different she is.

Vertin has a sad little smile and apologizes to Sonetto. She thanks her for putting up with her when she gave her every reason not too when they were kids.

Sonetto responds with another question. Why did Vertin keep trying to get close to her? Vertin wasn't bothered by bullies or instructors, but she reacted differently to her deskmate. Sonetto seems rather guilty about the whole thing as if reflecting on how she treated Smoltin.

Vertin pats her head and answers easily. "You were special."

Sonetto doesn't seem satisfied with that answer. "Am I not special anymore?" Referring to the fact she supposedly grows up to work under Vertin.

Vertin isn't sure how to answer but settles on "You are, but it's different now."

Now Smolnetto seems upset, which baffles Vertin. However, Sonetto doesn't understand why she's upset either. She admits something to Vertin that the Timekeeper has been waiting to hear for a long time.

"You're special to me too and that's why I don't like it when you do bad things!"

Sonetto hated seeing Vertin getting punished. She was mad not only about the frog, but because Vertin got burned by the electric fence. She felt like she needed to protect Vertin because she was tired of seeing the bruises and scrapes, but Vertin was determined to be a gremlin child.

Simply put, Sonetto only got as frustrated as she did because Vertin was someone important to her. She liked Vertin from the start but Smoltin did not make it easy.

It's almost tragic how much they cared about one another but never seemed to understand each other.