#webcomic nevermore

so as i was rereading all the episodes we have as of now i noticed that Morella is probably the character we know the least about right now when it comes to what her life was like prior to dying and ending up in nevermore. Duke was a magician sabotaged during a show, Pluto had an abusive and alcoholic dad that probably offed him one way or another, Ada was a maid killed by her lover in the middle of the woods, etc. (we don’t know how Lenore died either but there’s a lot more content to speculate on that) we even know that Berenice was run over by a suspicious man despite our lack of lore on her that we’ll (probably) get soon.

i’ve heard small theories here and there that Morella died during the great famine in Ireland, which i didn’t subscribe to at first becuz no one had a death explicitly tied to a historical event like that… until we got Will backstory bits that seemed to take place during a period of severe dust storms—the dehydration from that would explain why his last meal of choice would have been peaches and a glass of water.

so i thought about how Morella’s chosen last meal was shepherd’s pie, a food made using leftover meat and popular among people in poverty. in episode 104 it’s also noticed by Eulalie that Morella is a rather good cook. when she asks where Morella learned, the latter brushes it off. and it’s pretty evident by now that people still retain their learned skills, behaviors and whatnot from when they were in the land of the living, like Duke with lockpicking.

so now cuz of all of this i actually think that it would make sense for her death to have happened cause of the Irish famine, whether directly or indirectly. the only thing is that i struggle to tie it in with the following—

her spectre being a guardian which strongly suggests she died trying to save/help/protect someone. this wouldn’t be a difficult puzzle piece into fit if not for the one below

the pattern of most the deaths being murders or close to being murders (Annabel was shot, Duke sabotaged, Montresor straight up tied to a railroad, Will was left for dead, that fire that burnt down the building Eulalie was in could have been intentional, based on the vision of Prospero’s fear courtesy of Ada he may have been wrongly operated on, etc etc only Lenore may not have been murder due to the lack of info)

She's a woman who very early in her life understood that she was not in a position of power, just by being a woman. That her life is controlled by a system everybody abides by that will never favor her. That she has to follow the rules of said system or even her family will cast her out as a mad woman, evident by the way they treat her anxiety/panic attacks. Nobody is safe. Nobody can be trusted. To keep safe is to follow the rules-

And the only way to get on top of anything, to gain even a smidge of control is to use the rules to you're advantage.

But this in turn demands of her to turn off care and empathy for others (which she is capable of btw. Annabell Lee is not just some unfeeling monster) Because factoring in how it would affect the other person, caring about another person is a risk factor to herself. And anyway, its not like anybody truly cares about her, right? Its not like there are people out there who would be willing to have empathy for her. They pretend, just as she does because it is polite. Some may even mean it on some level, but not truly. Not wholeheartedly. That's how she sees it.

She's on her own. Her true self is utterly and fully on her own.

Cue Lenore. Lenore started out just the same as any other person Annabell Lee could take advantage of. However, with one additional perk. She was a break. Annabell Lee didn't have to watch herself as closely, not maintain a facade as tightly as usual. Because she is talking to a mad woman. A woman diagnosed with hysteria, a woman shut in in the basement. She has no social power over Annabell Lee. Any accusations or similar can be explained away with her mental illness. So, with time she gets comfortable. Relaxes just a tiny bit. Lenore is pleasant company, sensible and quite smart to talk to.

She, on some level, understands Annabell Lee. And then. Then she cares.

And that is such an unfamiliar feeling. Such a dangerous sentiment. And ridiculous too, for why? Annabell is just taking advantage. Perhaps that's why Lenore is mad, for not quite understanding that. The social games and ladders.

And then the house burns down. And she grieves for a brief friend she had to leave, the first person who really cared.

And then Leo shows up.

Actually taking advantage of the rules, but in such a mad way, it is utterly baffling for her. It is the ultimate proof of care. Lenore cares for Annabell so deeply, it seems, she's willing to give away her life.

And she cracks. Because she desperately craves that. True companionship. True care. True love. And Lenore, wonderful, selfless Lenore, is willing to give her that. Does it with a smile and sacrifice.

So. The only sensible thing to do now. Is to make sure she keeps it. So, she cares back. So fiercely, she's willing to kill for Lenore. So fiercely, that Lenore becomes the only other real person in her life. The only other real person in the whole world.

It feels special. They are the only ones worth fighting for. They are a team, a unit. Annabell Lee truly cares for Lenore because Lenore will always truly care back. And that is worth more to her than a million other lives, that have never known true care even if it stood before them, waving.

Now, imagine the heartbreak when she understands, that Lenore is willing to truly care for others too. She never truly got the fact that Lenore wasn't all alone like her. That Lenore had a brother who truly cared and that Lenore became a madwoman because of said brothers death. She doesn't get it, that real connections do not require sacrifice. It is scary for Annabell that Lenore is willing to give up a lot for people, she perceives will simply not do so back.

Fact is Lenore was Annabells first and only friend. But Annabell is not the first and only friend of Lenores.

Fact is that Annabell thinks the only way to be safe and get ahead is to play by the set up rules. But Lenore doesn't see the sense in doing that if it harms her friends. Lenore would rather rip the system and rules apart than play by them. And that's always been the case.

Even if to Annabell, previously, it didn't look it. Even if Annabell thought they were the same.

And the most heart wrenching thing? Annabell will continue to act like she always has, because she values their relationship too much, values Lenore too much. Because that's how she keeps the things important to her, her life, her love, safe. And it will continue to drive Lenore away, because it requires sacrifice of people Lenore is fond of.

They will only get somewhere healthy when Annabell gains another friend and starts understanding Lenores point of view.

But Annabell is scared of that. It feels unsafe. She might become a madwoman.

So. We are at a cross point. Either Annabell Lee gives in or Annabell Lee loses Lenore.

Which. Fun. Is she gonna give in? Not without a fight, I imagine. It goes against everything she ever build up, against every rule of being she ever set for herself.

It is going to be difficult.

And there will be loss.

Troubles.

Lots of troubles.

You probably skip classes any occasion you get just to hang out together

Mainly I think Duke would love to explore the Academy with you

He'll point out every weird or unusual detail about the place just to make you laugh

Please laugh at his jokes he'll be delighted if you do

Mfer grins so wide it practically split his face in two every time you find one of his jokes funny I swear

If you do not already speak French, you'll probably learn a few words over time

Duke likes to hide around corners just to spook you

He loves to show you his magic tricks too

Any chance he gets, he's making you pick cards, watch coins disappear and so on

But he'll never teach you

I'm not kidding, when I say never I do mean never

Duke is too proud of your reactions to ever risk making you lose this magical spark in your eyes every time he performs just for you

He would rather die than to explain the trick

Even if you beg him for it

Also, calmness is never an option

Even if you just want to search for a book and lay down for a bit

He'll end up disorganizing the shelves and poking at you the second he starts to get bored

I mean come on there's far funnier things to do around here don't you think?

You will never be free as long as he's anywhere close to you

Unfortunately you're also one of his favorite humans which means he's almost constantly close to you

He doesn't like leaving you alone because he genuinely thinks you'll get bored without him

When you're together with the rest of the Misfits

Duke's practically always by your side

Except when he's trying to get everyone's attention

But outside from those moments you can be sure he'll always match your pace just to be by your side

I like to think that once he's familiarized with you, he learns to read your body language pretty fast

He knows what you look like when you're lost in your thoughts, when you've got a new idea, and when somethings weights you down

And whenever he sees you like this, he always asks what's on your mind

If it's a dumb plan to cause troubles he'll absolutely follows you

I'm honestly pretty sure it happens almost every single day you spend together at the Academy

You guys are probably famous (and feared) for your pranks among the other students

He's delighted every time you actively participate in his deeds what can I say this man's love language is tomfooleries

Duke also can't resist you if you ask him to pick you up/carry you/give you a piggyback ride

He'll groan and pretend to be annoyed about it (he really isn't that much) but he'll comply anyway because he just can't refuse when it's coming from you

He will tease you about it tho

To be honest teasing you probably also is one of his main activities

You can never escape his teases and flirts I swear

But the second someone else than him tries to tease or mock you he's shooting them death stares

Man is the only one authorized to (playfully) make fun of you