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qiangwei · 2 years

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Vyn in the Language of Flowers

While we do know Rosa is often compared as his rose, Vyn does have his fair share of comparison with his flowers! The most explicit comparison was based on the red and opium poppies, but poppies in general, often go hand-in-hand with Vyn's artwork:

Another proof of Vyn having poppies as his flower is his birthday gift when the player celebrates their birthday in-game: the gift is entitled “Coquelicot Blessings Giftbox”. The word coquelicot is a French vernacular name for corn poppy. There are more samples that are too subtle to put in the analysis, such as when Vyn and Rosa are biking during the SR: Cool Summer (the flowers in the lower left corner of the CG are poppies) and other backgrounds with poppies (though I doubt this has any meaning).

What is most interesting though is that Vyn subconsciously compared himself to a poppy, as seen in his SSR: Blazing Colors video call:

“Whereas red poppies are as pure as their appearance, opium poppies can be seen as a sinful flower donning a cloak of innocence. In a way, this dichotomy is similar to human nature.”

He doesn’t explicitly compare himself to the poppy, but I would argue he subconsciously does from his previous line before the photo: “In the language of flowers, poppies mean “peace”. It really is something befitting of one’s image of a psychologist. Also have you noticed? Red poppies are very similar to opium poppies in appearance.” It was Rosa who gave him a red poppy because of his profession but it was Vyn who brought up the comparison between red and opium poppies. Considering Rosa’s knowledge in gardening, I would say she is not able to immediately distinguish the difference between these flowers.

Another reason why I think Vyn subconsciously compared himself to the opium poppy is that the flower has medicinal uses. The flower is a principal source of opium, a class of naturally occurring alkaloids, which include the following: morphine, codeine, papaverine, and noscapine (Singh, A., I. M. Menendez-Perdomo, et al., 2019). I think it’s a nice touch that while he seems to think that he is sinful (actually it’s the Church who thinks he’s sinful for practicing psychology considering he’s a noble), he is still able to help people in need by providing the mental health assistance they need.

A flower that is also prevalent in some of his stories is the white lily. For those who have yet to read SSR: Medieval Suspense, white lilies are the Vatican’s flower, which was the decisive evidence that made Vyn lose in the game he participated in with Rosa.

White lilies also appear during the last part of the SSR: Between Good and Evil

Interestingly enough, the story is most likely based on Eirik Haspran and Jill Richter’s romance, which is why Rosa and Vyn had to be in their shoes, respectively (a possibility that Vyn is gauging Rosa’s choice should a similar situation arise in the future). Unlike Eirik, Rosa is decisive and willing to brace herself through the consequences as long as her convictions are right. Vyn, on the other hand, has given up on the Church and explicitly expresses his dislike on numerous occasions.

Vyn is almost always conscious of his choices, but for him to compare himself to a poppy is actually almost the opposite of the lady viscount’s favorite flower, the white lily, and it feels like a pretty hidden easter egg (or, I could’ve been overanalyzing him and his storyline, but oh well). While white lilies mean purity and rebirth, opium poppies are regarded as sinful and red poppies are often used to represent remembrance and consolation. Although poppies could also mean hope for a peaceful future and even resurrection, which manifest in Vyn's gradually changing behavior of hoping for love, a phenomenon he believes is a miracle for him to experience, and opening up about his past so he could face the future with Rosa.

Perhaps Vyn with gardening as a hobby is a deliberate choice, as he often makes comparisons of his and Rosa’s circumstances in terms of flowers. I think metaphors like these are nice to explore.

REFERENCES:

Singh, A., I. M. Menendez-Perdomo, et al. (2019). "Benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis in opium poppy: an update." Phytochem Rev 18(6): 1457-1482

#未定事件簿 #tot #vyn richter #character analysis #tears of themis #tot vyn #mo yi #how do you tag

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vynegar · 3 years

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vyn RRG card story, part four

just... prepare yourself

same disclaimer and notes from part one.

youtube link to Hikari Sherry Gaming‘s video of the card story

links to other parts: one two three

do not repost

[PART FOUR]

(25:50)

Perhaps because I was suddenly in an unfamiliar environment, I had difficulty sleeping that night.

MC: I was on the train for so many days that I really want to rest, but why am I still unable to fall asleep…

MC: Please don’t let me have dark circles under my eyes tomorrow when I see Dr. Richter…

I dejectedly climbed out of bed and suddenly saw that the lights were still on in the distant greenhouse.

MC: I don’t know how my and Dr. Richter’s grape vine is doing…

(26:05) Spring Greenhouse

Right when I entered the greenhouse, the servant who was checking the condition of the plants quickly welcomed me.

Servant: Miss, did you come here to see you and sir’s grape vine?

MC: N-no. I just couldn’t sleep and took a walk, and I saw the lights were on here so I came.

MC: Am I interrupting your work?

Servant: Of course not, please do as you wish.

Servant: The estate has soothing herbal tea that helps with sleep, shall I prepare some for you?

MC: Yes please, thank you.

Servant: Please wait for a moment.

Servant: Ah yes, we’ve just installed the nameplate for the grape vine that you and sir planted, you can go take a look.

He gave me a slight bow, then left.

MC: I said I didn’t come here to specifically look at the grape vine…

Even as I muttered this, my feet involuntarily walked toward where Vyn and I had planted the grape vine sapling during the day.

Just as the servant had said, there was already a sign installed in front of the sapling. On the silver plate were my name and Vyn’s name, closely interlinked.

“Albert & MC Forever”. (1)

(27:00 flashback to the daytime)

Vyn: With the proper methods and meticulous care, it is certain to grow better than any other grape vine out there. I guarantee it.

(back to the present)

For a moment, the words Vyn said that day appeared in my mind.

I frantically patted my burning cheeks, trying to calm myself down.

MC: O-oh right! Speaking of that, all the previous people’s grape vines are planted here too!

MC: I didn’t see them during the day, and since I’m already taking a walk to pass time before I can fall asleep, I can look at them one by one!

I walked to the most verdant, flourishing grape vine nearby, and only saw that written on the sign in front of it was –

“Eirik · Haspran & Zijin · Mo 2003”. (2)

MC: Planted in 2003. It’s already been 27 years, no wonder it’s growing so densely.

MC: This couple’s bond must be great, maybe they’re like the Feilus from that year…

I couldn’t help but think back to my and Vyn’s grape vine.

MC: Hopefully my and Dr. Richter’s grape seedling can also…

Just as I was getting lost in thought, the glass door to the greenhouse was opened once again.

MC: Has he finished making the tea? That was fast.

I walked towards the door, but halfway there, I heard the voices of Vyn and Raphael.

Vyn: That bottle of wine is something he asked you to give to me?

Raphael: Yes. Previously, your father came to the winery to discuss financial matters with my father.

Raphael: Since he was at the winery, he of course came here to check his grape vine. For a moment he began to reminisce, talking about you and your mother.

Raphael: We’re old family friends, and he’s also my senior, I couldn’t refuse your father’s request.

Vyn: So you’re trying to convince me to return home and visit my family?

Raphael: He did ask me to, and moreover, your father and I are of the same opinion about this.

Raphael: I don’t want to have to deal with that greedy, foolish woman either.

Raphael: Your father is the same way. His only cherished son, and recognized heir, is you.

This wasn’t something I was supposed to hear, but it was already too late to say anything.

I hastily turned around, deciding to leave as quickly as possible under the cover of the greenhouse plants. Because I was afraid to make noise, I could only walk very slowly.

The sound of the two men’s voices continued.

Vyn: He may think that way, but he’s still feigning civility with those church people.

Vyn: “A leopard cannot change its spots”. He really hasn’t changed one bit since the past. (3)

Vyn: Hesitant in times of decision, clumsy in handling affairs.

Raphael: The church has immense power and influence, it’s inevitable that your father would worry.

Vyn: All transformations come with risk. Moreover, if he had been watchful that year and made preparations early on, the church wouldn’t be holding him back right now.

The two people behind the foliage didn’t speak for a while. Fearing that my footsteps would be heard, I was forced to stop along with them.

Raphael: Your father also said that you went to Stellis after leaving Svart, and changed your last name to “Richter”…

Vyn: Did he think I did that because of my mother? (4)

Raphael: Of course I don’t think you would simply be swayed by emotions, but your father has his own beliefs.

Raphael: Oh right, how should I explain the grape vine that you and Miss MC planted together today?

Raphael: Once your father knows that you visited here, he’s certain to come again. If he finds out that that year, you and he –

Before Raphael could finish speaking, the glass door to the greenhouse was pushed open once more.

The servant walked in with a tea set on a serving tray.

Raphael: Herbal tea? I didn’t ask anyone to prepare this.

Servant: Young master, this is for the miss.

Raphael: Miss?

The servant looked around, and from where he was standing, it was easy to spot me.

Immediately, I could hear a series of footsteps from behind the dense foliage.

Vyn’s figure quickly appeared from behind the thickets. He looked at me with an indescribable expression.

MC: Dr. Richter… I…

I didn’t know what to say, my heart was thumping wildly in my chest.

Raphael raised his hand and signaled for the servant to set down the tray, then gently said a courteous goodnight to us and left with the servant.

In an instant, only Vyn and I remained in the greenhouse.

MC: Dr. Richter, I’m sorry… I…

I tried to stutter out an explanation, but Vyn smiled at me softly.

Vyn: There’s no need to apologize. It wasn’t like you were intentionally listening, right?

MC: But…

Vyn: You’ve been standing for a while, are you tired?

He walked back to the tea table and pulled out the chair, indicating for me to sit down.

After I sat down, Vyn poured out a cup of tea and handed it to me.

Vyn: Lavender tea? Did you go for a walk in the greenhouse because you couldn’t sleep?

MC: Yeah…

Vyn: The tea is still quite hot, do you want to hear a story to pass the time?

Vyn paused for several seconds, then slowly began to speak.

Vyn: Twenty-eight years ago, a Svart…

MC: Dr. Richter, you don’t need to…

Feeling anxious, I spoke in a hurry.

MC: You don’t need to explain everything to me just because of what I accidentally overheard. This is your private –

Vyn: You’ve misunderstood.

Vyn quietly interrupted me, his tone gentle and calm, yet firm and resolute.

Vyn: Actually, for a long time I’ve been wanting to find a suitable opportunity to tell you this story.

Vyn: I just hope you don’t mind that this story might take quite a bit of your time.

Vyn: Are you willing to hear me tell it?

MC: Of course, of course I am.

Vyn’s face broke into a smile.

Vyn: Twenty-eight years ago, a Svart aristocrat happened to encounter a woman from a foreign country during a trip to Barosk. It was love at first sight for the two of them, and they fell head over heels for each other.

Vyn: Shortly after, they promised to spend the rest of their lives with each other. Just as they were making preparations for the wedding, they found out they had the ultimate manifestation of their love.

Vyn: They named the child “Albert”, meaning bright and noble, just like the child’s golden eyes.

Vyn: In that moment, the aristocrat felt as though he was the happiest person in the world.

Vyn: He brought his wife with him to visit Feilu Winery, and together they planted a symbolic grape vine and swore to love each other for eternity.

As Vyn spoke, he looked toward the flourishing grape vine not too far away, his mouth curling into an indescribable smile.

MC: (That grape vine…)

I suddenly remembered the sign in front of that grape vine – “Eirik · Haspran & Zijin · Mo 2003”.

Vyn: But soon after, the aristocrat received a message.

Vyn: Svart Church ordered his fiancée to be baptized and convert to Svart’s religion in order to marry him.

Vyn: The aristocrat’s fiancée was from a long line of scholars from a well-known family in the East, and naturally wouldn’t go along with such a crude demand from the church.

Vyn: After the woman’s categorical rejection, the church made a decree that if the aristocrat ignored their doctrine and married someone of a different religion, their marriage would be illegitimate and null.

Vyn: The interests of the aristocrat’s family would also clash with their political opponents because of this.

Vyn: The aristocrat tried to accommodate for both love and politics, but it was precisely this indecisive attitude that caused his crushing defeat in his struggle with the church.

Vyn: In the end, the woman detested the aristocrat’s weakness. She resolutely left Svart, completely abandoning their love.

Vyn: The aristocrat never recovered from that, and all day long he used alcohol to numb himself, becoming an alcoholic.

MC: …

Vyn: Until many years later, with psychological intervention, he slowly recovered.

Vyn: Seeing a depressed alcoholic be able to become an illustrious individual, his son began to develop an interest in psychology.

Vyn: But studying psychology was seen by the Svart Church as a branch of theology, and the church vigorously opposed this subject being offered at colleges.

Vyn: The country’s aristocrats and their heirs were even more strictly forbidden by the church from studying psychology.

Vyn: Facing interference from the church yet again, the aristocrat tried to challenge them, but he was overly cautious in his actions. Careful to a fault, lacking in resolution.

Vyn: His son had never had an interest in ranks of nobility, and simply used this opportunity to free himself, and leave Svart.

Vyn reached out his hand and felt the teacup, gently handing it to me.

Vyn: You can drink the tea now.

The tea was warm and gave off a thick aroma, but I had lost my appetite.

His tone when telling the story had been indifferent, as though he was totally unmoved by it, but in my heart I felt an indescribable ache.

Vyn: This isn’t a happy story. I shouldn’t have told it right before bed. But I was worried that if I didn’t explain things now, you’d have even more difficulty sleeping because of self-blame.

Vyn: It’s very late, I’ll send you back to your room.

MC: I…

Vyn: Stop blaming yourself. Have a good night’s sleep, and if you have any questions, I’ll answer them all tomorrow.

At a time like this, the only thing he was worried about was whether or not I’d be able to sleep?

Vyn: Also, what you lose at sunrise, you gain at sunset. (5) For the aristocrat’s son, leaving his home country was a new, wonderful start for him.

Vyn: He’s doing very well, and is happy.

His soft voice was sincere and deeply affectionate, causing my heart to pound in a way that was difficult to describe.

I reached out and grabbed Vyn’s wrist.

MC: Dr. Richter…

I didn’t want to leave him by himself, I wanted to keep him company. In that moment, that was my only thought.

MC: I… I have trouble sleeping in new environments, can you keep me company?

Vyn: …

Vyn was stunned, but quickly, his mouth curved into a smile.

Vyn: Okay. What do you want to do? I’ll stay with you.

MC: I… I don’t know. Dr. Richter, do you have anything you want to do?

Vyn thought for a moment.

Vyn: We’re making wine tomorrow, aren’t we?

Vyn: The winery has many experimental wines that are made specifically from the greenhouse grapes. How about tonight we try them together, and choose a flavor that we like?

MC: Okay.

[END PART FOUR]

[PART FIVE]

(1) All in English (except possibly MC’s name, depending on what you set it as)

(2) All in English; also, remember what Vyn’s Chinese name is?

(3) Vyn literally translated the English phrase to Chinese; I think it is specifically indicating this phrase, since there are other phrases of similar meaning that seem more “native” to the Chinese language. Note that this idiom originates from the Bible (Jeremiah 13:23)

(4) Originally, Raphael said “莫” (Mo), not “Richter”. Think back to the name Zijin Mo from the grape vine. I waited until this line to translate Mo as Richter since I felt like it would be too unbelievable for MC to not make the connection earlier between the name “Richter” and 27 years

(5) An idiom (失之东隅，收之桑榆). Even if you lose out initially or temporarily, in the end you will get compensation for it.

#tears of themis #vyn richter #tot vyn #mo yi #tot translation

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