#flashers tend to value empathy (as seen through the deep emotional connections drawn in their experiences with others)

[archived-and-moving]

See having specific abilities be a genetic trait is fine. But what if it was instead a reflection of the experiences that someone goes through in childhood when unlocking their ability? While scientifically speaking this probably doesn't make as much sense but on a basic level this would be such a cool basis for how someone develops abilities and make Sophie's genetic mutation case even more messed up.

Say what if a kid grows up in a prestigious nobility family, that just so happens to be like celebrities in the elvin world and they have to uphold this fake image to be what the public wants them to be. What if they have to uphold this idea of themselves in front of almost everyone, sometimes even within the space of their own home?

You know what I would value the most in people close to me?

Transparency and trust.

And BOOM what do you know a family of Vanishers and Telepaths, unintentionally made through not one but two generations of trauma, where not only the children right now (Biana, Fitz, and Alvar) but along with Alden and Della have a deep understanding of what it means to be honest and only put your faith into the people you love and hold the closest to you.

Okay so let's try another one.

What would happen if two children happen to have overbearing parents who expect things that they cannot give to their legacy. What if they are pushed and pushed and pushed and punished just for being born? Well, what if one of them tries to be exactly what they want? Stuffing away all of that judgement, that shame, and the anger of that shame down until it all bubbles up and the dam bursts?

Or hey what would happen if a kid instead chose to ignore what they were saying, and find comfort in something that was outcast from society like them? What would happen to the kid who lay in bed and make shadow puppets with his hands at night, dreaming of a world in which he could use the creatures from his imaginings and turn them on the monsters of the real world?

"Well I don't know Tobi what would they value?"

Accepting and embracing the flaws that come with a person!!!!

"How does that have to do with Hydrokinetics and Shades?

Because both of them are only seen as useful when they can offer someone else something they want, and are otherwise stigmatized and seen as unstable and dangerous!

(you could also draw conclusions as to stigmatized mental illnesses that people see as other, especially those which have a negative taboo around them and are thrown around as common words quite regularly. I won't dig into this further than here since i do not have experiences with such, but you can extend this and other factors into the examination of other abilities.)

I just think that it would be such a cool prospect that growing up, elvin abilities take shape through the deepest experiences and wants at the core of someone's personality, and reflecting that through manifestation!

That's also another reason to compare Sophie's situation to the elvin world, and kind of add how fucked up it is. They deprived her a right of developing her abilities naturally by planting her in a specific environment and setting her up to have specific abilities, experiences, and personality traits.

Anyway just kind of a concept i've been thinking on for a bit.

#kotlc #long post #tobi talks too much #but just like! just think about it!!! #pyrokinetics have a burning (ha) curiosity from circumstances in their life and dig for a deeper truth #(such as marella and the mystery behind her mother's injury) #(and of fintan and his inventive nature to use his power for greatness--and disregard of ethics to do so) #flashers tend to value empathy (as seen through the deep emotional connections drawn in their experiences with others) #(wylie's experience with grief and loss at a young age) #(elwin's inclination toward helping others by seeking a healing career) #fuck! empaths' need for a little bit of control in their surroundings!! #(oralie's mission to make it to the council. her will to bend the laws for her benefit.) #(stina's attitude toward other people in order to protect herself from the rumors of her parents) #(keefe's need to cause trouble to get back at his abusive parents!) #(cassius' whole character) #i could keep going!!!!!