kalmaroth

[kalmaroth]

Sansa Stark │Character Creation (in/sp)

HERE are screenshots of the whole set, if you wish to read the little details.

[kalmaroth]

you CANNOT tell me this was not framed romantically

the desperation, the longing, the pain.

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[kalmaroth]

hbomaxnordic: Everyone be trying on the redhead filter on TikTok, but nobody rocks it like her.

[kalmaroth]

do you think jon or sansa already has romantic feeling and/or attraction to one another in seasons 6 and 7? are they aware of it,

Because sparks were flying right away, i think they were instantly attracted to one another but that they could write it off as nothing more than relief and gratitude over having found each other and being the only two Starks left (to their knowledge).

Jon most likely grew increasingly aware, though, and increasingly bothered by it. But attraction doesn’t have to mean love and I think he could keep brushing off little moments where it was sneaking up on him. 

When she gave him the cloak and he had his little, “Wait, what?” look, he could blame it being an emotional moment in general. When they argued in the tent, he could blame the intense life-and-death situation and their desperation to come out of it alive.

But then he kissed her forehead. That’s the day he could no longer pretend this was anything but romantic love. His instinct was to kiss her on the mouth too. He felt himself leaning in, lips still slightly parted… He wanted more and it was no denying it any longer.

The pain in his eyes, the way he now presses his lips together, nods, attempts to leave asap for no good reason… Oh, he knew.

By season 7 I think he accepts it. Not without shame, not at all, but that it’s how he feels and that he can’t do much about it and that hopefully it’ll mellow and maybe even go away in time. And if it doesn’t, he’ll just keep doing his best to protect her and never let her know how he feels.

She really is his secret treasure, his shame, and his bliss, and I think he avoids alone time with her if he can help it. Their confrontation after the meeting could’ve taken place in his office, in private, (like in the leaked outline) but that’s too intimate, isn’t it? Instead he talked to her in a place where they’re somewhat secluded, granted, but technically in public. Anyone in the courtyard could watch them. And there were no closed doors keeping anyone from approaching them and interrupting them.

While away, he also avoids talking about her. She’s in his thoughts and in his heart day and night, though, and he worries that she won’t welcome him home after what he’s been forced to do, but then he sees her in the courtyard, waiting for him, smiling at him, welcoming him with open arms and…

That look. He loves her and maybe that’s obvious to everyone around him, but in this moment he does not give a shit. All he sees is her. All he wants is her. Everything else be damned.

Sansa, however… I don’t think she’s fully aware. The attraction’s been there since their reunion and it’s evident in several scenes (like in the tent, where she’s definitely affected by the tension). They even made sure to show us that she likes gazing at Jon like a proud wife when he speaks while Davos keeps his eyes forward instead of craning his neck.

But she doesn’t carry the same kind of angst about it that Jon does. Sansa is better at controlling her emotions, so she’s repressed it and kept her focus elsewhere and, I think, mostly relaxes in his presence because Jon doesn’t expect affection or touches from her, which is quite the relief after what she’s been through. (And why it easier for her to give and accept affection, and why it’s easier for her to walk into his space or grab his hand, his arm etc, and why she doesn’t shy away when he moves into hers. She trusts him the way she trusts no other man.)

Jon’s behavior in the forehead kiss scene leaves her looking perplexed, but not uncomfortable. She even prolongs the interaction by calling him back when he tries to leave. I think she’s also perplexed that he got so hurt by her Joffrey comment, but that she doesn’t want to examine it further. It’s easier to think Jon’s just sensitive and move on, because the truth is a bit much to swallow.

Then Jon leaves. That was painful for her. Painful enough that she had to make herself smile to ease his worries. Painful enough that she stayed on the balcony long after Jon was out of view. Painful enough that LF instantly realized that what he just found out down in the crypts could be reciprocated.

But if Sansa had been fully aware, I don’t think she would’ve mentioned Jon quite as much. I think she would’ve avoided talking about him.

When she and Arya talk and she remembers the reunion and how happy Jon was (and how happy she herself was), I think it’s clear from Sansa’s behavior that it’s a memory that means the world to her. It’s probably one of her fondest memories since leaving home because it’s affection untainted by ulterior motives. It’s so important and makes her so happy that she needs to share it, but she can’t quite keep eye contact as she does it because there’s some part of her that knows that it’s precious and private. Some part of her knows there’s something about it she needs to keep hidden. Jon’s her shame and her bliss and her secret treasure too.

Once Littlefinger goaded her about a j0nerys marriage, though, I think it got harder for Sansa to lie to herself.

Jealousy is jealousy, after all, but because of the taboo, I think she’s tried to keep lying to herself even after this. She can easily pretend she’s just protective of Jon and worried about him. That she’s protective and worried about the North. She has good reason to dislike D*ny that has nothing to do with romantic jealousy. It doesn’t have to mean what she knows in her heart that it means.

That won’t last long, though. Once Jon returns home Sansa will know.

Both from the relief of having him back and from how she’ll feel about D*ny, who’ll be a rival in more ways than one. Sansa will remember that awful sensation in her chest from when LF talked about a j0nerys marriage and she’ll know. And then it’ll be very hard for her and Jon to suppress their instincts and repress their feelings. And that should become pretty obvious early on.

Thanks for the ask!

[kalmaroth]

No but you don’t understand . I need Jonsa to be a tangled mess of depravity and tenderness. Grief haunting them - the ghosts of their past connecting them in some irrevocable way, because perhaps that’s the only way they know how to bond - initially, at the very least. Estranged but bursting with love but not knowing how to show it because ‘we were never close.’ But Sansa used to teach me courtesy, and Jon used to sneak me lemon cakes when no one was watching. I love you so much but I feel as if you’re a stranger to me and I don’t know how to change that. Do you wish it was arya who walked through those gates or I should have been a better brother to you, I should have ridden north for you. Please just let me hold you in my arms until our hardened hearts soften again. Until something ineffable develops. And to their horror, they realise this raw and fresh and beautiful (damaged) bond that they have created. And then comes the angst. The yearning. The unspoken words. Religious disillusionment. Inadequacy. Shame shame shame. Understanding slowly burning brighter, until they realise how similar they actually are and oh my god , you were there the whole time and I never even realised. But she was radiant and glowed brighter than any star in the sky, how could I not ??? Now give me your hands and I’ll kiss your fingers one by one, I’ll gentle each tip the way you’ve deserved. And I’m here, I see you. I’m not leaving, but gods am I a vile being. Look at how this world has corrupted me.

[kalmaroth]

i’m like if a westerosi jester had an internet connection

pt 1 pt 2

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Sansa Stark in seasons 1 - 8

[kalmaroth]

i’m not very associated with show jonsa, but something i have to say about it is the subtle love that those two had for each other, platonic or romantic, their relationship unfolds through nuanced and muted manifestations of love, emphasizing understated gestures, unspoken sentiments, and quiet interactions instead of overt displays, think about it,

when sansa gives him a cloak, it’s not only a gesture to imply that she cares for him even in small ways no one had bothered to do, but it also refers to the bridal cloak that is used to cover the bride and implies that she’s now under her husband’ protection and belongs together. it is a subtle way of letting him know that she care for him, want to protect him, and that now they are one fighting for their home.

they also argue and seem to not stand each other but the truth is that they cannot stand the idea that the other is in danger, that is why they lose their temper among themselves, against others who threaten them and in front of their bannermen like jon going into fits of rage at the mere mention of sansa’s name and sansa losing her mind in front of their bannermen at the thought of jon leaving winterfell.

when jon leaves the north, he tells us that it is part of him and that he’s leaving it in good hands. he entrusts this very important part of himself to sansa and then, when he kills his queen, it’s not for duty, this time he does it for love of the north (sansa) because that’s what them do, keep each other alive. sansa does the same, returns to the one place she swore never to return, for him, and she doesn’t do it alone, but with a whole army.

plus, there was even a scene planned between jon and ghost where he told to take care of her, and as always he’s giving her another part of himself freely.

that’s the kind of love they have, a gentle and restrained portrayal of romantic connections and it’s tragic that they didn’t return home together, it’s sad that they didn’t keep their promise to always go together, but the survival of the other is more important to them than their own unspoken feelings. the truth is that they are one of the few loves in the show and it can be interpreted in different ways and if i were stronger i’d enjoy it.

[kalmaroth]

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[kalmaroth]

I have… a theory.

Now It’s very tinfoily (which holy shit fangirl me is well and truly BACK) but it’s no fun unless we got our tinfoils on so bear with me a moment

What IF…

SophieandKitareusingTheDreadfulasawaytotestwaters?

…Toooo scope out reaction?…

Like what if the project does involve certain scenes (iykwim) and it gets people thinking.. accepting, really, finally seeing what any sane person with eyes should’ve been able to see from a hundred miles away; that these two have insane on-screen chemistry, palpable, disrespectful even. And like… it becomes very well received and garners such interest that the Jon Snow sequel gets picked up, and not only that… wegetaJon/Sansaarc–

I believe, in my most tinfoily of hearts, that this is the true ulterior motive. That we will not only get The Dreadful but that The Dreadful will walk so that a Jonsa endgame may SOAR 🥹🥹🥹

[kalmaroth]

what if i say that jon calls sansa ‘sister’ not because he considers her as such, but because it is the closest he can be to her. jon can’t be her love, but he can’t not be her brother either, a way of letting her know that she’s very loved by him and, at the same time, a way of reminding himself that he can not cross that fragile line.

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one thing i like about jonsa is that jon is as dramatic as sansa is naive, the dude felt the need to point out that sansa specifically calls him ‘half-brother’, and i was like aren’t you that? all his siblings think of him as their ‘half-brother’, but sansa is the only one who says it to his face, he’s making a drama about it! i know he was seething with anger when, playing monsters and maidens, robb received a sansa’s kiss on the cheek!

[kalmaroth]

These traits describe Sansa’s ideal partner but also describe her.

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I really need to vent about how much I like Cal and Merrin's dynamic in Jedi: Survivor cause they've quickly become probably my favorite canon pairing in the franchise.

I absolutely love that this relationship is built on the basis of friendship, respect, and a genuine mutual understanding of each other. From gameplay comments and conversations, Cal is very clearly so enamored with Merrin and literally everything about her. I know it's become a bit of a joke how clearly into her he is but he just thinks she's the most incredible being in the entire galaxy and it's honestly the sweetest thing. The writers could have very easily made his connection to Merrin a weakness or had it where it made his struggle with the darkness harder but I adore that they allowed him to be completely smitten with her and presented it as a strength. It's refreshing not only in Star Wars but in media in general, at least in my opinion. Love being presented as a positive asset is something so deeply missing in media nowadays - especially romantic love. Far too often in this day and age, love is presented as a weakness or something that will only bring you down, so I respect the fuck out of this writing.

Oops, this got really, really long so I'm putting the rest under a cut. It's kind of spitfire, so I apologize if it feels random.

I love how their first kiss is Merrin basically making a split-second decision where she realizes she doesn't want to die without kissing him at least once even if it runs the risk of making things awkward should they survive. Is it cliche as fuck? Absolutely, but it works so well in this instance. Cal being so dumbfounded, gawking at her like a fish, trying to process what the hell just happened that BD has to remind him they're literally about to die is the best thing too.

I appreciate that Cal is so obviously hesitant about giving into any sort of romantic feelings for Merrin because, of course, he would be due to his upbringing. He's pushing so hard against it to the point that he's even completely reluctant to so much as discuss it with Bode when they're on the Lucrehulk. Personally, I don't think Cal is oblivious to their potential feelings for each other. I've never been a huge fan of treating Cal as completely naive. He still might be a bit emotionally stunted, sure but he's lived 10 years outside of the Jedi Order at this point. I think he's hesitant to talk about it because first of all, it's really none of Bode's business but also, if he talks about it, he has to admit it, and if he admits it, that makes it real, and if it's real... well fuck, now he has to do something about it either way which is exactly what he's trying to avoid. I think he's trying to stay as neutral about it as he can until he gets to a point in the story/his arc where he decides he actually wants or feels ready to make a decision. Bode almost gets it out of him too before they're interrupted. The progression of Bode's questioning during that mission is something I actually find really interesting but that's a different topic.

Many people have pointed this out but Cal smiling so brightly while Merrin is clearly freaking the fuck out of Bode is just the cutest thing. Not only because he finds such humor in her scaring the shit out of people for fun when he of all people knows it's a running joke but he also goes along with the joke any chance he gets. He does this even when she's not around. People will be freaked out by her and he still plays along and it's not even like, "Yeah, I know, she's fucking scary bro," it's more like, "Yeah, I know, she can wake the dead, isn't it amazing how scary she is!" Someone else already pointed this out in another post but that feels almost more intimate than any kiss they share. His attraction to her encompasses all sides of her including those that many people find incredibly terrifying and I find that so endearing, he wouldn't ask her to change for anything. He's the only person who genuinely isn't freaked out by her in the slightest but not only that, he finds that side of her to be so incredible. Also, Cal being so blase with Bode about his obvious attraction to Merrin a mission prior and then having the most blatant sexual tension with her in front of Bode in the next scene is peak comedy, I don't care what anybody says. Like, Cal, honey, you just spent the entire previous mission trying to convince Bode (and yourself) there's nothing there and/or you're not pursuing it, so you're not doing yourself any favors by looking at her like that, standing that close to her, and speaking to her with the cadence of a lover bro.

I love that the second Cal walks onto the Mantis after killing Rayvis, she instantaneously picks up on the fact that something's wrong. Literally instantaneously. You can see her face drop the moment she sees him. She just knows something happened. Her ability to read him insanely well is something that is introduced very early on in the game, most noticeably in the campfire scene, and it stays consistent over the course of the story. The following conversation they have is honestly one of the best moments between them in the entire game. It's this type of conversation I've been wanting to see with a Jedi and their potential lover since Revenge of the Sith. He is so open with her even in a somewhat roundabout way about his genuine fear of losing himself and while the conversation is not explicitly about their relationship, the implication is still there and she 100% picks up on it, especially since he wonders aloud why Santari didn't see the change in Dagan before it was too late. Instead of shaming him for his reservations or calling it ridiculous or anything else she could have said at this moment, she instead decides to possibly help curb those fears and give him some comfort regarding it. She goes on to basically tell him in so few words she knows what she's signing up for and is willing to cross those bridges with him if they come. It's a great difference between Cal and Dagan. Though it's never outright stated that Dagan and Santari were in love, I feel like it's... pretty heavily implied, or at least he was definitely in love with her (was I the only one who read it that way??) but whereas Dagan demands that Santari talk him away from the darkness and seems to almost expect her to, Merrin herself plainly offers to do it with no prodding on Cal's part. It doesn't seem to be a burden Cal wanted to put on her, not something he was inherently expecting of her but she willingly offers, it is her choice, she wants to carry that burden with him. While she does seem maybe slightly annoyed by his hesitancy regarding their relationship to each other, she is also so incredibly patient with him while he's stewing over what he wants to do. It's beautiful. As a side note, "A shared dream is not so easy to wake from," is such an amazing line. Seriously, I want merch with that quote on it.

I liked that going through with the relationship was Cal's choice in the end. Merrin didn't push it, she didn't pressure it. She let him bring it up and come to her when he was ready and if that meant potentially being rejected by a man she very clearly adores, so be it, and I have no doubt she would've respected that choice if that's what he'd wanted. I know a lot of people seem to think he only makes this decision due to Bode's questions earlier but it really seems to be a combination of multiple things that lead to this. Bode picking his brain definitely got him thinking about it, maybe more than he wanted to, but I do think the other big part of Cal being willing to go forward with it at this moment is his confrontation with Dagan that, while an illusion, did cause him to come to grips with his own mortality in a way. "How does it feel knowing you're about to die. That your life meant nothing." As Cal says, Dagan uses an extremely powerful force hallucination based on fear here, so while losing himself to the darkness might scare him, his life being completely meaningless is what he seems to fear the most. Cal's journey throughout Survivor encompasses many things but one of them revolves around feeling aimless and finding a purpose, preferably outside of being a hired weapon that will surely and slowly consume him. It's what everyone consistently tells him: find a home, settle down, embrace happiness because it's fleeting, the path you're on is not healthy and will consume you otherwise...etc. His decision here to give in to his romantic attraction to Merrin is a culmination of all of these interactions and conversations he's had throughout the story, how they've influenced his line of thinking, and him coming to his own conclusions regarding what he personally wants and at this moment, when things are finally, calm and everyone is in a good place with a plan going forward, he personally decides there's no point in living up to the expectations of the Jedi when the Order doesn't exist anymore and wants to see where this could go.

I love the fact that when Merrin witnesses Cal's darkness in the ISB, it's made abundantly clear that she's just as afraid of losing him as he most likely is of losing her. I do think a major reason why she was able to talk him down at the moment is that he fundamentally understands what it feels like to lose everything and everyone, your entire livelihood. That is what they first bonded over and it's something that keeps them bonded in the saddest, yet most profound way and he would never want to add himself to the list of people she's lost. She's also doing exactly what she said she would. In an instance where again, she reads him like a fucking book, she can tell just from his responses on the intercom that he's losing himself and is guiding him back. She immediately went to rescue him as she says. No question, no argument, nothing, she simply does it. She made him a promise and she kept it and in that moment, he promises that she won't lose him, he won't allow it. This is a fundamental difference between Anakin and Padme's dynamic and Cal and Merrin's. While Anakin's love for Padme quite famously ends up extremely selfish in an "I would lose myself to ensure you're not ripped away from me" type of way, Cal and Merrin's dynamic is leaning towards a more selfless, "I won't allow myself to be lost because I can't let that happen for your sake," type of way and god damn it, I love it.

There are several interactions they have in gameplay that I'm lowkey peeved weren't included in cutscenes and one of them is when Cal returns to the Mantis after all but demolishing the ISB, they have this really short but great interaction where Merrin says that if he ever feels that way again, he needs to tell her. She doesn't even ask him to do it, she all but demands it, "If you feel that way again, you will tell me." She's demanding communication from him regarding the darkness and he doesn't fight this demand at all. He agrees to respect this request and I fucking love that from both of them. I will genuinely be kinda upset if we don't get a moment like that in the next game.

I like how their kiss after they've successfully navigated the abyss is kind of their first kiss inverted but instead of "omg we might die, I need to kiss you" it's more "holy shit, we survived, I need to kiss you," but instead of Merrin initiating, now it's Cal. I'm probably reading too much into that but whatever, it's cute.

This isn't about any one part in particular but I do love that it looks like the headcanon so many people had regarding Merrin most likely being quite physically affectionate is turning out to be true.

...I think that's enough for now lol I might add on some things later

Apologies for any typos and thanks for indulging my rambling if you got this far.

[kalmaroth]

Some Jonsa HCs ( post GOT series ) :

. After the GOT series, Sansa, Arya, Jon Snow and Bran all needed some time to heal from their traumas. Between their new positions and duties, and helping with repairing the North and the South after what Daenerys have done

. Sansa hosted a Grand winter ball at the Castle of Winterfell, and Bran hosted a Winter Ball at Kings Landing. They even sent dignitaries from those Realms to each other's winter parties to send each other gifts and well wishes. Jon Snow attended the Winterfell winter ball, and Arya attended both parties ( which are a day apart )

. It was spring when Sansa realizes that she is gradually growing feelings for Jon Snow.

. It came to her unexpectedly, like a gentle breeze tickling at her shoulder, instead of the avalanche of rush like she experienced with Loras

. Sansa struggled with her growing feelings with Jon Snow for a time. She seriously didn't want to end up dismally regarding Jon as she did sometime before

. Her ladies in waiting then soon noticed this and, with exchanging knowing smirks, decided to help their Queen out that

. It turns out Jon Snow has been gradually also developing feelings for the new Queen of North as well, yet he is also nervously that it may end dismally like with Daenerys, or with Ygritte, for the matter

. Jon Snow initially thought he wanted a more brazen adventuress to have drinks with him in a battle quest. It turns out that he needs someone who is calm and measured, and can offer him a real home.

. Sansa initially thought she wants a Prince Charming. It turns out she needs someone strong and loyal, like Jon Snow

. Jon Snow and Sansa began to gradually be more comfortable around each other - going from knight/Queen to something more.

. Eventually, it came to a point where, at one of Arya's visits to Winterfell the day before the Midsummer Ball, Arya noticed the growing chemistry between Jon and Sansa, and Arya helped hatch a plan with Jon and Sansa's attendants to give them an extra push to get them admit their feelings for one another.

. That plan is basically the Don Pedro plan from Much Ado About Nothing

. That night, after Jon Snow and Sansa heard the ' gossips ' they heard outside of their abodes ( orchestrated by Arya and those attendants in tow ), Jon Snow and Sansa are both elated and tremendously relieved that their gradual feelings for each other are reciprocated

. The next morning after that, Sansa soon found Jon Snow waiting for her outside the Winterfell castle, to accompany her to the Midsummer Festival Joust

. Blushing, Sansa agreed to that accompany offer

. That whole Midsummer Festival, Jon Snow is basically Sansa's date. Arya and Bran also witnessed the growing chemistry Jon and Sansa have for each other.

. The Midsummer Festivities included jousting, horse races, and also a spectacular masquerade ball at the castle ( with some entertainment there as well in tow )

. As the party went on, Jon Snow and Sansa snuck to the gardens of Winterfell to have a stroll together

. After gathering up their courage to confess each other of their love, Jon Snow and Sansa happily held each other in their arms, as Jon Snow spun an ecstatic Sansa around, before sharing their first kiss together

. While Jon Snow is often into battlefields or border guarding more often, Sansa is often more into diplomacy and cultural cultivation.

. Things changed since that first date. Sansa offers Jon Snow a real home and solace, Jon Snow offers her protection

. She remembered her old feelings for Loras, where she has jumpy nerves around him most of the time. With Jon Snow, it felt different - she feels comfortable and safe around him, and she can be fully herself around him

. Both soon got a knight and lady like relationship, and both be trying their damn best to help each other heal from traumas

. Sansa herself don't want much to do with Kings Landing again, because of traumas. However, she does manage to bring herself to attend diplomatic functions there when needed. Visiting Bran in those visits also helped with that

. Bran defo gave Jon Snow a, ' Hurt my oldest sister, and the wolves will be after you, ' speech. Arya also gave a similar speech to Jon.

. Jon vows to them that he will be Sansa's protector and worthy lover

. Eventually, Jon Snow and Sansa got engaged in a wintry day at Winterfell. They are on a horse riding winter date when Jon got down on one knee and proposed to her. Shedding happy tears, Sansa exclaimed yes and jumped into Jon's arms

. It was that next March when they got married, in that one spring where Winterfell starts to gradually melt away its heavy snow

. Several Dignitaries across the Seven Kingdoms showed up - that is not very common during those 7 years of the Game of Thrones

. Compared to her 2 previous weddings, Sansa is genuinely, incandescently happy at her 3rd one, finally being able to marry the one she really loves and eventually starting a family with him ( as she wished for a time since she was younger )

. In the wedding reception, it seems that a Dornish maiden has caught Bran's eye. Jon Snow, Arya and Sansa exchanged knowing smirks and know that they may help Bran at that eventually

. Its a miracle how, one can actually have real love coming to them when they stop looking for it. And that certainly happened with Jon Snow and Sansa. Even with the throes of chaos, they manage to find each other and eventually build a comfortable, real home for each other