#sophester

The God Tier:

Nicphie

Enemies to Lovers dynamic, they’re also rivals.

There’s no canon evidence because Soman was writing the Hicola/Hophie love triangle, but if you look at their personalities objectively, they would make a great pairing. 

takes Hort out of the picture. 

Nicola is the only person who can challenge Sophie. Agatha lets Sophie do whatever because like,, that’s her best friend. Tedros goes back and forth between allies and distrusting her but Agatha stops him from throwing hands. Hort is a doormat. However, Nicola’s LITERAL INTRODUCTION was that she’s strong, super smart, and says exactly what she thinks. 

I think they look good together, aesthetic wise. 

There’s probably a LOT of banter and bickering and overall being fed up of one another. 

The only reason you wouldn’t ship Nicphie is that you either don’t like Nicola, or you stan Hophie. 

The Cool Tier:

Agaster

Goth Girlfriend Aesthetic.

They initially have a lot in common in the School Years.

Hester’s first impression of Agatha was “We like her”. 

Hester wanted Agatha to join her coven, which is huge sign of respect.

Their personalities are very similar, except Hester is a heightened version of Agatha’s witchy self, and Agatha has more of the typical Honor and Compassion and Responsibility traits of a hero.

Hester risked her life (Aric stabbed her) to help Agatha in AWWP.

In OTK, [minor spoiler] Hester steps in front of Agatha when Japeth is about to slaughter them, and she’s like “Don’t touch her.” LIKE COME ON IT’S OBVIOUS. 

the only reason that you wouldn’t ship Agaster is that you’re a Tagatha or Hestadil stan. That’s standard but like do you not see the potential??

Hestadil

They’re inseparable. Best friends to lovers. 

There isn’t much canon Hestadil though, so I put them lower. 

Tagatha

This relationship has been clearly established since Book 1 and there’s no use NOT shipping it. 

I got sick of them as the series went on, sorry. 

Keian

Don’t have much to say, but this was wasted potential. 

I like the king/bodyguard dynamic. They’re best friends. 

Kei was having a breakdown when Rhian died. 

DID HE NOT PUT A ROSE ON HIS GRAVE??? AM I MISTAKEN?? BECAUSE THAT’S A SIGN. 

The “At This Point I’m Too Tired to Argue” Tier:

Horavan

Val shoves it down my throat so like. I Guess. 

Ravan was under-developed, but he sounds cool as fuck (he’s the descendant of a god, he’s seen to be Hester’s equal and gains respect among his peers, he’s described as attractive, and he’s driven and ruthless)

I dislike Hort so that’s the only part of this ship that’s sinking it. 

If Hort was characterized as an awkward himbo AND NOT A CREEPY SPYING ON GIRLS TYPE, I’d ship it more. 

Bettophie

I really don’t know why [OTK spoiler] she was killed? I would have rather read about Bettina having a fake death than Hort. 

Again, Enemies to Lovers dynamic. Similar to Nicphie except instead there’s like two seconds of Bettophie interaction. 

They’re alright. 

Sophester

I only halfway ship this because I wrote a fic about them (The Love for Glory and Gore link in bio) and we’ll see if this grows any further. 

This is like, if you shipped Agaphie before you knew they were sisters, and you’re still confused and betrayed at that plot twist. This is for you. The dynamic is the same thing, except they’re both evil. 

Hester once said that Sophie is too powerful even for her to defeat. I don’t know if that counts, but it’s definitely a sign. (And Hester is neither impressed nor intimidated easily, Sophie does both).

Tophie

They’ll never happen again, and thank god they’ll never be used as a plot device again. I think everyone hypes up how terrible they were (obviously Tophie isn’t a perfect match, but it’s not like the end of the earth). 

Okay but imagine Never! Tedros with Sophie as a fling. Not bad. 

The “I Just Sit Back and Observe” Tier:

Tort

They started as a joke. I honestly never thought it was funny. It’s obviously overused now. 

Yiko/Reatrix

I couldn’t care less. Go ahead and ship them. The aesthetic is cute, kind of. Sorry?

The “I Want To Gouge My Eyes Out” Tier:

Jaric

A lot of people have made posts about why Jaric is fucking awful. So go read those. Two murderous psychopaths together are not cute. 

Hophie

THE LOVE FOR GLORY AND GORE by @theleagueof13​

Hi, promoting this here bc why not!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25195318/chapters/61063534

I honestly can’t explain this to its full extent (shut up i know it’s my own goddamn writing) but here’s a short description of Sophie/Hester:

Sophie:

Skilled fighter who often relies on magic. She specializes in fire and lightning (azula inspired?? yeah). 

She’s athletic in terms of gymnastics but not strong in terms of muscle. 

Caught in a toxic relationship with Rhian in which she is always dependent on him. He created Sophie’s entire career and spoils her with every luxury, so Sophie feels the need to constantly win him over. 

She likes the “game” of murdering people a bit too much. 

I think she’s cool!

Hester:

In contrast to Sophie, she has the physical advantage but weak in magic and consequently never uses it. Specializes in blade weapons. 

Openly hates Japeth and Aric, her masters, because no shit-- they try to scare her into submission and generally think of her as a financial investment/punching bag

Grew up in a Hunger Games style academy (called the Reformatory) with Anadil and Dot where the best fighters are sold off to be slaves. 

She gets a bionic arm. 

Therefore, uh, she’s cool too!!

Other Aspects:

- Magic mixed with technology. extremely futuristic. 

- Gladiator system!! fight scenes!!! 

- Sophie and Hester are rivals 

- People have said it’s surreal? which is like. cool.

- Reatrix tattoo shop! Agatha is a weapon-welder! 

- Crumbs of Keian, Horavan, Agaster, Reatrix. 

- Sophie x Rhian toxic shit

- Sophie x Hester slow burn... like REALLY slow

- Major character death and you’re going to love it, don’t be worried. 

IM STARTING CHAPTER TWO RN, HOLD THE FUCK UP!!!! 

I WANT TO MAKE IT GOOD YK? 

for people who already read & commented/reviewed, thank you!! fr i read the comments over and over again smiling and full of happiness ugh god. 

This was written for val @ofthickettumble ‘s crack ship contest 💞

And guess what bitches. I won 3rd place that must mean ... uh something. 

Anyways, I think it’s pretty good!  It’s definitely a Very Different AU but like idk give it a chance lmao.