2023-04-25 18:47:11 ¶ ●

today i am thinking about the tridentarii, specifically this observation that Harrow makes in GtN: “They’re both only middling necromancers, but the big one is the dominant. She says I; the sister says we.”

but what is so interesting about the I/we distinction is that both versions can be seen as dominant depending on perspective

“I” = perceived as dominant due to individuality (the assumption that Harrow is making here)

“we” = perceived as dominant due to speaking for the both of them

and I think this is a really interesting piece of characterization of their relationship. as in, instead of One Twin being the clear dominant one in the relationship, i think they’ve actually been in a power stuggle their whole lives that continues even after Ianthe’s ascension. in their NtN reunion Crown asserts dominance by showing her individuality and using her newfound differences from Ianthe like a weapon; Ianthe asserts dominance by assuming their wants are still the same and operating off of that assumption and refusing to tolerate otherwise

and obviously this is shaped and impacted by Crown’s historically higher social status (as Crown Princess), Ianthe’s importance as the true necromancer among them both, Ianthe’s ascension to Lyctorhood (& gaining demi-god powers) and Crown’s newfound rejection of the Empire (which did not come with bonus superpowers). BUT i don’t think the… for lack of a better word, micro level intra-relationship power dynamics, neatly follow their inter-relationship dynamic with anyone who’s not the other, and their macro level power difference. strangling each other with this red thread tying us together vibes idk idk