Some thoughts on Umberry, Mulberry and Umber in THP
I've seen a lot of people saying that the ship felt rushed and I don't particularly agree.
(post doesn't contain spoilers to the plot, just a couple of words they shared with eachother and briefly mentions Mulberry's condition)
See, Umber was delirious when they first met, hence his strong reaction to Mulberry:
"Maybe Umber was delirious from nearly dying, but it looked like the kindest, most handsome, noblest face he'd ever seen in his whole almost-too-short life. (โฆ) Even his voice was kind and handsome and noble. The most perfect voice in the world. As if the moons could sing. (Umber was definitely a little delirious.) (โฆ) He felt as though he should sit up, but he also didn't want to move and have those warm talons let go of him. Also, the world seemed to be doing a bit of a weird swooping in and out thing."
Can still call it rushed and simplified but imo counting what the target audience is and what the circumstances were, it wasn't handled that bad?
Later he wasn't so sure about Mulberry's reaction to his feelings, hesitant on how to act ("How could he possibly compete with all the dragons who adored him? Probably Mulberry wasn't thinking about him either... although sometimes their eyes would catch across a courtyard, as though Mulberry was looking for him, too.").
Also, Umber has a type- he already had a crush on Qibli, a warm extrovert loved by the masses, a type of a leader (?) (Umber looks like he misses Reed's reassurance and needs someone confirming that he does things well, Peril-like, which isn't too good to himself but that's who he is now)
And right after escaping Jade Mountain, he found Mulberry, warm, reassuring dragon, liked by the masses. And it's honestly kind of fun how often he tries to find in Mulberry someone who could lead him (like Reed did) but Mulberry simply isn't that kind of dragon. Two idiots waiting for the other to make a move
Umber fell for him quick and Mulberry slowly responded, we could see he was anxious knowing what Umber feels and maybe connecting it to the effect he has on all dragons.
"<Oh> Mulberry said, setting the seaweed down without meeting Umber's eyes. <<Um, that's a really sweet offer. Thank you.>> Something about the way he said it sounded more like a no than a yes, though. (...) A wave of anxious kindness swept through Umber (...) There were no specific words, but the feeling was warmth, curiosity, gentleness, and no, no, I really like you, too. He looked up in surprise and Mulberry let go of him quickly, as though he'd said too much, even though he hadn't said anything at all."
"<<I don't know... They think I'm, sort of, doing magic? And maybe I could teach it to them, except honestly I'm not doing anything on purpose and I can't pass it along. So I keep thinking eventually they'll realize that and then decide it's unfair and be so mad at me.>>
<<I can't imagine anyone being mad at you,>> Umber said. <<I bet they would love you even if you weren't magic.>>
Mulberry looked down at his talons and didn't answer."
Mulbery is anti-Peril, everyone loves him but only for his power. And Umber is like Clay (not only for liking a red lad), he loves him despite it, wanting him to just be happy
And that's what makes the ship kinda neat.
