#three faces

One you show the outer world and workplace

One you show to your friends and thoes close to you

“The Japanese say you have three faces. The first face, you show to the world. The second face, you show to your close friends and your family. The third face, you never show anyone.”

Who is Dilandau Albatou in my Escaflowne fanfics? In my stories, I take a closer look at this fascinating character through the lens of the “three faces” proverb. In the original anime and other official media, we only see a narrow view of Dilandau in combat situations and hanging out with their Dragonslayers or Folken. 

(Please note that Dilandau is an intersex person with a transmasculine but non-binary gender identity in my fanfics. I use they/them pronouns here.)

My impression of Dilandau is somewhat different from most other fans’ interpretation. Mine is more “troubled teen” that just “crazy psycho pyro”. I see them as a queer youth with poor emotional regulation who was raised with few healthy boundaries and doesn’t understand the real implications of war until their comrades are massacred. 

In my fanfics, Dilandau has developed a professional face to show in public and at military events. They are a lot like Lady Oscar from the anime Rose of Versailles (based on the manga by Riyoko Ikeda) in this role, seeming like an elegant and untouchable figure of the perfect soldier. I doubt they could have earned such a high military rank if they didn’t know how to act professionally in the appropriate circumstances! For example, Dilandau acts quite dignified and self controlled when they meet Allen at the fortress.

In social situations and with “family”, Dilandau is hot tempered, bratty, impulsive, and has a lot of mood swings but at the same time is kinda charming and entertaining in their own way. They act like the boss even if they really aren’t in control of their life, which exudes an aura of authority and power. The other lads are in awe of Dilandau, but I see Dilandau and Gatti having a more equal “frenemy” dynamic. I see Folken as a parental authority figure to Dilandau, and that they’re always trying to antagonise Folken to see how much boundary-pushing he will take. 

That brings us to the private, intimate face that only Dilandau’s lovers see. Please note that they don’t have any romantic relationships in the official story, so this is my “fanon” not canon. This side is one that craves sexual pleasure, attention, connection, and love. However, those appetites would make Dilandau look weak so they keep all this hidden away. In my stories, when Miguel gets to know his Captain on this personal level he discovers a sensual creature overflowing with passion and vulnerability. This side of Dilandau is a lot like the uninhibited Gilbert Cocteau from the controversial manga Kaze to Ki no Uta by Keiko Takemiya. Unlocking this side caused Dilandau more instability in my stories, but it may be the start of an important evolution of their identity...

Three Generations, Same Suffering.

- 3 Faces (2018)

Three Faces

Hannah Höch

3 Faces (2018)