Higher than the hopes that you brought down

Yeah I don't think I'll ever get over this POV shift:

How once Coco is starting to figure out about the silverwood, Qifrey suddenly looks so young and small in her eyes. Like compare the above panel to this one from what I would say is a more neutral POV just 2 pages earlier:

This is more how we're used to seeing him, even in moments of distress. But seen though Coco's eyes after she comes out of the Healing Spire, Qifrey looks so soft and sad and young. Without his hat and his glasses and his liar's smile he just looks like a hurt child again.

In a lot of these panels the perspective is from a high angle, slightly above him, and we get these super intimate close-ups of face, eye and hands, where it feels like we are looking at him through Coco's eyes much more as an equal than as a teacher and mentor to look up to.

And of course, there's The Big One:

We've seen this subtle POV effect before. Qifrey in the hospital bed in the Great Hall--both injured and suddenly back in his childhood home--looks very young. And of course there's that panel in chapter 40 of Olruggio holding out his hand, and I think some more subtle effects in that scene where it seems like Qifrey is remembering the younger version of him.

Evander

courier 💌

warning: wha manga spoilers

I just can’t stop thinking about how wild it is that apprentices just live with their masters until their schooling is over.

I hope in the manga we get to learn some more details about how apprenticeship actually works. I mean, we know that masters have to undergo specific exam in order to be qualified to teach, but at what age is it customary for a child to leave their parents and join a master? Is parental visitation normal in their world, or is it something discouraged as it shows immaturity?

I’m also interested in what the nuances are about switching a master? We know that Richeh and Rili left their original master and so did Luluci, but is there a process to it? Are there laws in place to protect apprentices from abuse because if so, there are not enough. Are there safe ways for kids to report misconduct?

In the exam to become a master, does it have anything that pertains to childcare? I understand that it’s not a masters job to be a parent, but considering the ages that some of these kids become apprentices, I feel like it would be highly necessary. Especially if they’re to be living with them full-time.

At that point, what’s the line that distinguishes parent and master, if you’re taking in and looking after kids for the most formative years of their development? You’re responsible in both their education and physical well being, but what about the emotional needs of someone so young? What about teaching them basic life skills and coping mechanisms that go beyond being a witch. What about age appropriate questions about their growth as developing human beings?

In the manga we see many examples of apprenticeships, and aside from Qifrey’s atelier and Beldaruit, all the other options are just straight up abusive and predatory, and I’m curious as to how their culture got this way considering how caring of a master the wise in teachings is.

because honestly it’s all so gay but SOME panels are extra suspicious like for example

Qifrey making a literal rose bouquet for Olruggio to eat are you kidding me

This panel specifically

Olruggio’s reaction to Qifrey’s touch

This chapter art

Olruggio trusting Qifrey when he’s drunk and Qifrey’s reaction,,,

😭😭😭😭😭😭

Need I say more

Bro cannot take a compliment

I’m sure we’re only taking about Coco

They look so happy :(

I won’t say anything

Mmmmmmmmmmmm

Clocked by the girls as well!!

Cuties!