#rhian mistral

[deadlynightshadeunderthestars]

I'm Tired.

I see how they view you

Always so awed

While I’m pushed to the side

Forget how it’s me always talking

It’s me that always tries 

And I hate that you constantly mock

How I often cry

When I see who you are

And how you act

A part of me dies

What is so hard?

Why are you often sharp?

Can you just stop cutting through me?

Can you just see that I’m a human that makes mistakes?

That maybe, just maybe, i will never be as fucking good as you?

You act like you’re brave and you say that I’m weak

And if not with words it’s by that condescending way you speak

Yet explain why you are the run who runs away?

I want to be perfect

I want to be fucking perfect

Good and kind

I wish I was like you

I wish I didn’t love like you

I wish I had no heart like you

I wish I was cold like you

All I really wanted was your kindness

All I really wanted was one good word

I wanted to be enough

You blame me for seeking more

But why are you never happy with me?

I’m sorry that I got your blood on my hands

Do I even care?

You were happy 

You dared

You were willing to leave me to die

Our relationship is a lie

I want to be perfect

I want to be fucking perfect

Good and kind

I wish I was like you

I wish I didn’t love like you

I wish I had no heart like you

I wish I was cold like you

I guess now that you’re gone all of that is true

To them I am perfect

I am the one

I don’t love you (you didn't love me that much anyway)

I have no heart because you burnt it all up

Now I’m cold like you

@liketwoswansinbalance

I did it. I went in a totally different direction but I did it. I'll come out with an explanation behind the lyrics later.

#mara posts #fall of the school for good and evil #rise of the school for good and evil #sge #school for good and evil #rhian mistral #the school for good and evil #i got kinda emotional writing this I admit #because like literally songwriting requires emotion from me

[liketwoswansinbalance]

Texting in a Modern AU:

Rhian: My arm is killing me, Rafal! I got shot at the pharmacy today.

Rafal: WHAT

Rafal: hang on rhian im getting my car keys/

Rhian: *a shot

Rhian: Sorry! Made a typo! :)

Rafal: You almost gave me a heart attack, you BASTARD.

Rhian: ily too

#school for good and evil #rise of the school for good and evil #fall of the school for good and evil #rafal #rafal mistral #rhian #rhian mistral #sge #sfgae #the school for good and evil #tsfgae #rotsge #rotsfgae #fotsge #fotsfgae #my post #my aus #modern au #dialogue

[wisteriaum]

dragon fire

#rhian mistral #rise of the school for good and evil #fall of the school for good and evil #school for good and evil #tsfgae #sge #sge fanart #fanart

[rosellemoon]

In honor of the great Walrus vs. Fairy debate, I must ask the SGE prequels fandom:

#the school for good and evil #rise of the school for good and evil #fall of the school for good and evil #rhian mistral #rafal mistral

[anobody277642]

Fingerglows

So, has anyone noticed that Soman didn’t actually confirm Rhian and Rafal’s fingerglow colors like he did with Agatha and Sophie?

Literally all we got in Rise and Fall was “Sharp Glow” or “Frosty” or “Warm.” Like we never got an actual color??

However, in the original series he has said Sophie and Agatha’s fingerglow colors MULTIPLE times. Agatha’s is orangeish gold, and Sophie’s is hot pink. This is common knowledge. Based on my interpretation, I think Rafal’s fingerglow is like a frosty kind of blue, and Rhian’s is golden. These two colors match their “souls” which Soman did kind of specify during Fall. Even during TLEA we never got a color for Rafal’s glow. Haven’t seen many people talking about this, so any thoughts?

#fall of the school for good and evil #rise of the school for good and evil #rhian mistral #rafal mistral #rotsge #fotsge #school for good and evil

[harmonyverendez]

True. But I feel like there is a twist. There is something a lot of people are missing out on.

Where are their parents?

When did they have triplet sisters?

Why don't they talk about the sisters in the flashbacks/Prequel?.

The whole two prequels are so confusing. I see and understand why people are still confused.

So many answers and questions unanswered, the prequels just made me more confused about the main book series.

Soman why?

Just why? 🤧🤧🤧🤧

#my post #harmonyverendez #the schoolmaster #School for good and evil #rise of the school for good and evil #fall of the school for good and evil #fotsge #rotsge #Rhian mistral #Rafal mistrals #The mistrals brothers #Reddit #Opinions #conspiracy theories #my theories #Theories

[joeykeehl256]

HI SGE

I was scrolling around on twitter, facebook, discord, and even the forum on wiki but never seemed to find any active people! And now I'm here there's suddenly a huge community I'm speechless! The happy kind of speechless 🫶✨️

I read the School for Good and Evil first time in 2018, and the series was so captivating it never left me. I never joined any fandom before so it just always kind of danced around in my mind for a few years.

What seriously made me fell in love, though, was the Rise and Fall series! All the plot twists and drama and easter eggs to the main series, I'm in love with everything!

So glad to see the SGE fandom still active somewhere! If anyone sees this post, I'd really love to get to know you all and share our thoughts and idea and love for the series!

Looking forward to meet lovely people in the fandom!

Btw I made this sketch of the infamous scene anyone who read Rise of the SGE would know - I die for it every day 😭🫶✨️ i sketched this a while ago when I was reading the book for the first time but never got to show it to anyone

P.s. I've also been editing the fandom wiki to make things presentable since last time I checked it was a mess up there given the twists between Rise/Fall, so many things happening at once.

#rise of the school for good and evil #school for good and evil #fall of the school for good and evil #Fotsge #rotsge #sge #rafal mistral #rhian mistral #Not me desperately hitting every tag I could find now

[abeehiltz1159]

I imagine Rafal having like. Minty-green eyes. For some reason. Probably just to fit with this winter aesthetic I associate him with, like the positive sides of winter

I think Rhian and Rafal both represent winter in their own ways. Rhian represents the “cold” aspect, the storms, blizzards, freezing that comes with the winter season. But Rafal is more like the “warming up” aspect of it, the blankets, snowball fights, snowmen, crappy igloos kids build for fun, festive lights, Christmas candy. They’re both wintery but they cover the different parts of winter

#rise of the school for good and evil #fall of the school for good and evil #sge books #rafal mistral #rhian mistral #sge #school for good and evil #rhian and rafal mistral #winter

[bakerstreethound]

Don't Choose

Relationship: Rafal x afab!reader x Rhian

Warnings: 18+ smut (all directed towards reader), teasing, mentions of blood, violence, general stupidity of men, and use of magic

Summary: As a teacher at the School for Good and Evil and the Headmasters' trusted advisor, you have more than your fair share of the twins and their antics. However, when it's you they're vying for, you have to have the final say.

All writings belong to me @bakerstreethound​ (Do NOT copy, repost, claim, or translate my works to other sites. I only publish here and on A03 under the same username) 

Word Count: 3.0k+

Disclosure: Also, as this is inspired by Kit Young’s version of Rafal/Rhian, I’m going to say Rafal/Rhian are 25 or present as 25 (Kit is 28 irl) while you the Reader are over 18. Yes, this is a consenting relationship inspired by the Netflix movie. 

A/N: I've been hoarding and chipping away at this fic for over a year and I hope you enjoy it. It must be noted that Rafal and Rhian's interests are devoted to the reader and the reader alone. (don't make it weird they're brothers, mind you). I don't usually write for Rafal/Rhian often and only when inspiration strikes so I won't write any requests for them unless it's at my discretion.

Needless to say, I dedicate this fic to the wonderful @frostandflamesfanfic for the constant support and with whom I've shared countless teasers throughout the story's conception to completion.

Saturday mornings were one of your favorite days. You can sleep in, unbothered by the duties of the week since you have the day off unless you count the obligatory meetings you had with the headmasters of the school.

You groan when you roll out of bed, birds chirping on the horizon, the shadows yawning behind you as they creep out of bed before you and swirl around your ankles. 

Yep, you are late. That can’t be good for you at all. 

Heaving a sigh, you pull on your cloak, the rest of your outfit falling in tandem, a simple black shirt and pants, the incandescent purple coat swallowing your figure as you slip through the shadows undetected amongst the students in the foyer and main gathering areas of the school. 

When the doors fly open, you’re met with the customary dramatic long table, two figures sitting at the head of each side, a varying assortment of platters stacked with many delicacies of the realm upon each. However, from the looks of it, none has been touched, not within the hour they’ve been glaring daggers at each other. 

“What did I miss now?” You inquire, your cloak shifting on your shoulders. You pet it gently assuring it everything will be fine. You’ve handled your fair share of the twins for years, so why should this be any different? 

Rafal licks his lower lip, painted blood red as he sips from a golden chalice, leaving no trace of a stain behind. Rhian, the good twin heaves a sigh, from the rise of his shoulders at the furthest end of the table as he pulls his glasses from his face before polishing the lenses. 

Not one says a word. 

You sigh deeply, finding your customary seat in the middle of the table, your plate full of your favorites, and kept to the appropriate temperature. 

So they did wait, and bothered to keep my meal ready, how thoughtful, you find yourself thinking as you take a bite, the warmth flooding your stomach.

Did you mention how much you enjoyed Saturdays when you could get a meal like this? Sometimes being a teacher and advisor to the Headmasters did have the occasional perks. 

It’s not a rare occurrence to find Rafal and Rhian dining together in such a manner with all the delicate delicacies front the realms gracing the table. You figure they did it to show off for you. The silence passes beside the light fluttering of Rhian’s paper as his eyes skim the pages, his spectacles perched low on the bridge of his nose.

Rafal glowers from the rim of his chalice as he drinks again, red liquid glazed along his lips. It’s a tempting look, and you find yourself wishing to lick up the excess. 

You groan to yourself not wanting to make conversation, but instead, with the rift between them flickering the temperature of the room between an inferno and icebox, you quickly grab the wine before you, making way to Rafal’s end of the table then Rhian’s to fill their wine.

The glowering only intensifies from Rafal while Rhian pays him no mind, his back perfectly straight in his chair, the epitome of a prince. Rafal scowls harder, throwing up his feet on the table, drinking deeply from his glass once more. You swear he doesn’t taste it at all. 

You huff in annoyance. “Okay, you two have been at this little game of yours long enough. What the hell is going on?” 

Rafal’s feline glance bores holes into the back of your head as you turn your head in disgust, meeting Rhian’s sea-glass eyes, nonchalant and focused entirely on you as he pulls his chair away from the table and meets you halfway. 

“You have been the topic of discussion, my dear.” 

Rafal scoffs, “They’re anything but your dear, brother.” 

“Will you stop acting so imprudent, Rafal?” Rhian’s glare cuts his brother like ice, but Rafal’s humorless smirk widens. 

“Listen, I’m still here and otherwise, coherent and can hear what you two halfwits are saying,” you interject, to no avail. 

“You have no better reasoning than I why they should like you!” Rafal spits, venom coating his words, launching for Rhian. 

“You’re inherently evil, Rafal. It’s in your nature. As soon as you tire of them, keep them in their tower, lock them up like one of your trinkets, you’ll lose interest and move one. They’re human, I can provide a better life for them than you ever could.” The temperature drops as Rhian speaks, each word chilling you to the bone as he sizes up his brother who’s now nose to nose with him. 

You’ve had far enough of their bickering. You are not an object to be kept. You are a person, for story's sake you’re the assistant to the Headmasters, you know decorum and uphold it and this is far from appropriate. 

“Can you both please cut it out? What exactly is the issue here beyond the obvious Good v. Evil plotline that’s neverending? Are you afraid to be left alone? If that’s the case you have had each other for centuries, if that’s enough to go on. You could’ve supported each other instead of overthrowing each other and constantly at each other’s throats.” You feel both threads of their power boiling, just waiting to explode.

You give it about five minutes until they threaten to burn the tower to the ground….again. You sigh heavily, your cloak beginning to flutter around you in warning, and you dodge a ball of blue magic that flashes across the room. 

“ I don’t want to be alone! Centuries upon centuries all I have had is my brother to keep me company then you burst in here in our lives and all we do is bicker over you now!” Rafal’s voice bellows. 

Red flame sears across your vision, counteracted by one of blue. You’d be mesmerized by the prowess exhibited before you if you weren’t the cause of the dispute. 

“That’s how you’ve felt, all these years Rafal?” You bite your tongue casting your glance at the other brother, his blue flame at the ready again.

“Rhian? If you both took one good look in the mirror you would’ve seen how lonely I’ve been, because nothing and no one on this cursed earth come close to either of you. It breaks my heart. Don’t make, don’t make me choose.” Your voice cracked, choking back your tears, baffled at the audacity the brothers had fighting over you of all people. 

Your heart ached at the rift that happened between them because of you, but you couldn’t choose between them, two complete halves of your heart belonged to them.

You’d rather remove yourself from the situation than be the cause of war between them. That doesn’t deter one of them from voicing their concerns or fighting over you. 

You can still smell the fiery rage of Rafal’s magic burning through the air before his brother speaks up, a soothing balm washing over pent-up rage. 

“Rafal perhaps we should…” Rhian stood retracting his flame and pulled back his glasses that had slid a good inch down his nose.

Rafal snarled, his brooding form still poised, powerful, and exuding confidence, the vicious raise of his brow silencing his brother. “What should we do, brother? Leave them out in the dust? squabble? That’s ALL WE’VE EVER DONE!” 

The red flame now flickered through the sword in his hand, making him look vicious and all the more deadly. 

You swallow keeping yourself poised, and graceful as you walk closer to them. They drift closer to you in response, Rafal’s flame dissipating when you glare at him and Rhian. Between their searing gazes, you feel the heat rising to your cheeks but quickly force it down, trying to ignore the thunderous roaring of your heart. 

“I’ve had enough of this. I don’t think both of you heard exactly what I said, nor do you care!” 

You cross your arms, your hardened gaze flickering over them, in response to their hardening stares. “Come here,” you gesture for them to come closer, but neither move, watching each other with such intensity you’re surprised no hole has been burnt through the floor. 

“Did neither of you hear what I said? Come. Here. Now.” 

A snicker sounded from the right, where Rhian stood barely an arm's length away from you. And how you ache to run your fingers along the fine linings of his coat.

The same could be said for Rafals, the many fantasies you’d had about wearing their coats rushed to you tenfold but you shook your head, regaining your focus. 

“You’re not in a position to be making demands,” Rafal snarled. Yet he stepped closer, mesmerized undoubtedly by your ability to shut Rhian up for once in his life, the goody two-shoed brother he dealt with for centuries upon end.  

Rhian rolled his eyes no doubt amused by Rafal’s childish and ambitious antics but he had to agree, you weren’t the boss of him or his brother. “Annoying as he is Rafal makes a valid-”

You crash into Rhian’s lips silencing his protests despite Rafal’s scowl and when you break away from his lips, you feel your heart stuttering at the feral look crossing Rafal’s lips before he plows Rhian out of the way and pushing you against the wall, attacking your neck with a vengeance. 

“Oh, no you don’t Rafal, they’re mine too!” Rhian gasped in protest reaching out for you, his hair now delightfully unkempt, making it all the more alluring and daresay - sexy. 

Rafal scoffs, barely pulling away from your neck. “Unlucky for you, brother,” his mocking tone was coated in malice, sending a shiver down your spine, “I’m not one for sharing.” 

“Well I don’t mind if you both share as long as you play nice…what am I to do with such handsome men vying for my affection,” you sighed leaning into Rafal, tugging the lapels of his glorious crimson coat. “Took you guys long enough to snap…” 

Rhian nods in agreement, stepping closer to where Rafal has you pinned against him. “We both deserve our happy endings, after all. Rafal, please.” 

Rafal’s lips find your neck, his form slipping behind you, nipping your neck slightly, causing you to arch back, your left hand reaching back to caress his jaw as Rhian’s lips press against yours, one hand resting on your waist keeping you firmly planted against him and his brother.

You wrap your arm around Rhian, wanting -needing him closer to you. Rafal smirked to himself, adoring the way you caressed his jaw. He took your hand, laying gentle kisses on it, kissing further up your left arm and to your neck, groaning softly to himself. 

“You are lovely,” he says, his breath hot against your ear. Rhian murmurs in agreement too caught up in the feeling of your fingers ruffling his hair again, the closeness of you, how he’s dreamt of this moment for so long thinking you wouldn’t return his affections in kind. 

The gentle kisses Rhian presses to your lips are intoxicating in a different way than Rafals. Gentle, soft, sweet, deliberate, calm, and light as an autumn breeze.

And how you crave them all the more, pressing into him gripping him tighter. You knew he was holding back, unwilling to break free of his composure so you nip his lip in retaliation. 

Rafal groaned behind you in protest, pulling you closer to him, still not resisting the push-pull. You whimpered softly as Rafal sucked marks to your neck, dragging his tongue along them before finding the spot that made you weak in the knees you almost collapse between them. 

“Brother…” Rhian quips, “Be careful.” He cast the look of disproval you found unfairly attractive.  

“Shut up, Rhian.” 

“Boys boys please,” you pressed one last fleeting kiss to Rhian’s lips, melting at the look in his eyes. Rafal’s eyes are the color of blood and Rhian's are the depths of the ocean. Two sides of the same coin perfectly balanced in every way and you have them both at your beck and call. 

You’re delirious already high on their ministrations as Rhian guides you and his brother to the bedroom. Rafal trails next to you, his grip around your waist a comforting weight but when your back slams into the wall, Rafal’s crimson lips devouring your own you can’t help but moan in desperation, your hands grasping the lapels of his coat, your brain screaming for more. Your leg wraps around his waist, trapping you to him more. 

“Just like that love,” his breath comes out labored, his hair a mess already ruined and you admire the state of disarray you’ve caused. 

Rhian meanwhile, can’t take his eyes off of you, biting back a groan at the sight of you enveloped in his brother’s crimson coat. He won’t admit it but the sight causes an odd twinge of jealousy to arise, for he wants you desperately as well. 

“Brother you can’t keep them all to yourself…” he said, but his words were quickly lost in the commotion of Rafal’s desperate kissing, and your soft whimpers following in the wake of them. 

He continues watching, his own desire getting the best of him as Rafal’s grip on you tightens impossibly more, his kisses hot and heavy against you. And yet you pulled Rafal closer taking everything he gives.

It’s all you’ve wanted and more if for a fleeting moment, this and the intoxicating way he makes you feel oh how it makes your body light up with need, to feel them, both of them all-consuming bringing you to ruination. 

Without another word, with some force prompted by Rhian, you’re sure of it, you find yourself sprawled out on the large bed, groaning in relief at its plushness, the pillows and sheets cocooning you just right.

Still, it doesn’t deter them in their quest, delighting in the gasping whimpers leaving your lips as they grasped you tighter, their fingers digging into all the right places of your skin, sending delicious heat pooling to your core. 

Rhian’s lips are mere inches from yours once more, the distance feeling longer and more forlorn by the moment. He leans down, teasing your lips, and you find yourself whispering, “No. Surely you can do better, dear ones.” 

His hold on your waist tightens, his gaze snapping to Rafal beside you whose lips curl in wolfish delight. "We can do better than that can't we?"

“I won’t pass up a challenge,” Rafal’s voice drops, shivers cascading down your back in anticipation. You wanted, no, crave more of what they provide, all-consuming power and here you have them bending to your will, right at your fingertips practically weak in the knees.

And, it was all because of you.

For you. 

“We’ll do more than ravish you, my love.” They say in sync and you don’t fight the shudder that quakes through you. Years of desire and adoration coat the string of words and you respond to them in kind by kissing each of them, melting into them, tugging at their clothing, wanting to feel them.

The years have made you curious after all. 

Rhian undresses out of his robe, leaving him in a white undershirt showcasing the wondrous planes of his body. You drink him in slowly, your mind believing it’s conjured up some sort of spell, and yet it’s all too real.  Much too real, yet it’s all you could ever want. 

He pulls back the covers of the bed revealing silken blue sheets. Rafal scoffs in annoyance but leaves you with another lingering kiss full of promise and he wraps you in his red coat making you feel powerful. Rhian can’t help but groan at the sight.

In a flash, your clothing is removed, falling to the floor in a crumpled pile on the floor, leaving you encased in a billowing emerald coat.

Slowly, oh so slowly they fall to their knees as you sit on the edge of the bed, your legs dangling to tease them as they kiss up your your body, trailing circles along your skin, imprinting the feel in their memory before wrapping around you from either side to encase you in a protective cocoon. 

Rhian’s lips find your own as Rafal marks his way down your neck, leaving no place unadorned, sucking and marking up your collarbone. You whispered soft praises, baffled that they’ve wanted this as much as you have. 

They continue in their conquests kissing and caressing your body like you’re the only thing in the universe - their universe - and you respond in kind as you switch between kissing them, showering them with praises as you’re entangled between them, holding onto them for dear life cursing and begging as they made you come undone for them.

Please, don’t stop. 

Just like that.

I need more of you. 

If this were what came of the years of yearning, wanting, waiting, and desperation, you would do it again in a heartbeat. They wouldn’t soon forget it either, how you squirmed against them, clinging to them for dear life as their fingers worked you into oblivion, sending wave after wave of pleasure coursing through your veins.

No one, or anything would make you feel the same, for you were bound to them forevermore.  

“You’re ours,” They whisper in sync, the brothers of good and evil, and here you were in their midst claimed by them heart and soul never to be parted forevermore.

You kiss them gently, cupping first Rhian’s face, nipping his lip before sinking into the soft waves of his eyes, the calmest ocean made wild by your whims. Rafal’s kiss is like lightning, sending shock wave after shockwave along your body, his eyes twin flames searing into your soul, sealing your lifetimes of devotion. 

For they promised their everlasting souls to you, binding you with them never to part from you again. For you would be with them throughout eternity, basking amongst the planes of eternal bliss.

#Rafal Mistral #Rhian Mistral #the school for good and evil #rafal x reader #rhian x reader #kit young #sge netflix #fanfiction

[heyo-428]

So I said i’m a comment on a post I would share my Rafal playlist with you all and I want to preface this by saying some of these songs are based off my own interpretations of his character or personal headcanons.

Tagging the sge prequel fans bc obvi

@liketwoswansinbalance @thescarlettshrimpernel @harmonyverendez @discjude @rosellemoon

The songs with reasons are all below the cut!

MAJOR SPOILERS!!!

Look What You Made Me Do - Taylor Swift

- Do i need to explain?

Mastermind - Taylor Swift

- “No one wanted to play with me as a little kid

So I've been scheming like a criminal ever since

To make them love me and make it seem effortless

This is the first time I've felt the need to confess

And I swear

I'm only cryptic and Machiavellian 'cause I care”

THATS THE MOST RAFAL THING EVER

Also the last line, reminds me of the scene where he’s talking to the students and getting them to hell him fight against Rhian he says something like “if i’ve gone to far it was to protect everyone”

Sign of the Times - Harry Styles

- Idk reminds me of his death

- And “we never learn we’ve been here before” makes me think of the fact he got stabbed by the Storian in Rise and Fall and the symbolism it holds.

Mercy - Shawn Mendes

- “I’m prepared to sacrifice my life” is when he jumped in front of Rhian in Rise

Bad Habit - Steve Lacy

- “I wish I knew you wanted me”

Idk it’s giving James X Rafal yk

People I Don’t Like

- Fits his personality lmao

Murders - Miracle Musicsl

- “All for nothing at all” IS HIM DYING IN FALL LIKE “oh i did all that for rhian and got nothing in return”

Gilded Lily - Cults

- Same as above “Haven’t I given enough?”

- Also, “Always the fool with the strongest heart”

Christmas Kids - Roar

“You’ll change your, and change your mind, and leave this fucked up place behind, but I’ll know I’ll know.” Rhian killing and taking his identity and Rafal being the only who knows :(((

Heather - Conan Gray

- Another James X Rafal one but “But you like her better, I wish I was Heather,” BUT MAKE IT KYMA BECAUSE APPARENTLY JAMES AND KYMA ARE A THING? (Where did Soman find that one? Up his ass?)

Another Love - Tom Odell

- Him not being able to show sympathy for anyone else really because he’s wasted all his time and energy on Rhian

If I Killed Someone for You - Alec Benjamin

- Since Rafal had changed who he was for Rhian to be good I thought this was fitting since the point of the song is “I killed a part of myself for you, am I enough now?”

Many more Taylor Swift songs but I didn’t want my playlist to be a ton of Taylor Swift. I can’t think of some off the top of my head right now.

#rise of sge #rise of the school for good and evil #fall of sge #fall of the school for good and evil #sge #school for good and evil #the school for good and evil #rafal mistral #rhian mistral #sge prequels

[deadlynightshadeunderthestars]

Okay so uh if there was ever a movie or a show about the SGE prequels, I would like it to be a musical one.

I don't know why, but an SGE related musical would be fun. Not just already existing pop songs but original songs too.

I mean the prequels have Peter Pan and pirates, villains, and twin angst, so why not?

#fall of the school for good and evil #rise of the school for good and evil #mara posts #school for good and evil #rafal mistral #rhian mistral

[liketwoswansinbalance]

What if Rafal couldn't save Rhian in time? Like Vulcan successfully stabbed him with the pen before Rafal could prevent it?

The comedic answer is that I have one word for you: gibbeting.

That's the more "fun" answer, a form of medieval execution/torture, which was specifically intended to make an example of someone, publicly, to deter further criminal acts, and if Vulcan murdered Rhian, well, he deserves the worst death possible! And why not make it a creative one? However, I think, to an extent, that gibbeting could be too extreme, and that Rafal would recognize that if Rhian were alive, he'd view it as an eyesore, tasteless, or simply too brutal, so it's probably unlikely to happen. But, Rafal might not be above it, considering that the Doom Room exists, so it could go either way, potentially.

Plus, there's some added, bonus "fun" here, in how a certain canon moment would come full circle. Vulcan put Rafal in a birdcage (while he was a black sparrow), and now, Rafal would get the pleasure of hanging Vulcan (or rather, his slowly dying and later, decomposing body) up in a cage, a pretty neat form of revenge, if I do say so myself, haha! Besides, Vulcan was a bit exhibitionistic, wasn't he? So, this would also make for an ironical fate.

⸻

Now for the serious answer. I hope you don't mind it if I get a little more subjective/personal with this one at some point. It's not quite as much an overblown, narrative-style post, and may be more understated than usual.

I took this "what if" ask to essentially mean: how would Rafal react to Rhian's death and how would he mourn Rhian over time? If I misinterpreted your ask, and this wasn't the kind of response you were expecting, please let me know. Also, everything is speculative, of course, so take my interpretations with a grain of salt. I'm open to hearing other opinions!

I think Rafal's immediate, knee-jerk reaction would probably be to murder Vulcan as revenge, but also it would serve the more practical reason of disposing of the tyrant usurper, ousting him from the School permanently. However, I don't think Rafal would find catharsis in it, not this time at least, considering why he is doing it.

He'd have to act on his feet, and quickly, because, Vulcan would still pose a threat to his own life, which would force Rafal to delay any kind of visceral, emotional reaction.

That is why I think the murder would be done instantaneously because speed is more important, and so is getting the task done right. And, having Vulcan dead sooner for everyone's safety is more important than the potential brutality of any kind of gruesome catharsis Rafal could derive from the act. That's why I think Rafal would go about performing this particular murder in a less sadistic fashion, for once, like how Vulcan died in canon by a stab wound, versus the time when Rafal turned Rufius to gold and shattered him, or did worse to others, generally. If Vulcan had simply been a foe who was already incapacitated, that could've given Rafal the opportunity to go for a worse form of murder, but Vulcan isn't harmless.

Thus, employing a "kinder" form of murder in this instance wouldn't be out of sympathy for Vulcan, but more so, to fulfill an urgent need. And, in some sense, the act of murder would be done out of a kind of duty to Rhian, for Rhian's sake and nothing more. I think Rafal deriving pleasure/catharsis out of this murder could possibly be a bit of a slight to Rhian's memory because this is somber business.

Then, after that adrenaline or rage-fueled clarity and the action taken, I think Rafal would next probably feel some kind of uncomprehending fog next because Rhian was suddenly ripped away from him with little warning. His supposedly immortal brother, who was supposed to be with him forever, just died. To an extent, that has to feel surreal.

The surreal feeling could start out as a detached, dissociated feeling, like the kind of out-of-body experience where you're like a third-person observer, (probably a similar feeling as a panic attack?) Like, what? What has my life become? Rhian is suddenly gone, for good.

(The revelation of Rhian's death being real could also prompt a lot of thought as to why their bond wasn't able to save or revive Rhian, and could evoke guilt.)

Once Rafal processes the implications of Rhian's death, his initial outburst could be the most, actual, unbridled emotion he lets out, at all, if ever—maybe, one raw, primal scream of agony into the ether and that’s it. (Yet, I'm also tempted to say, that's too dramatic of a reaction, even for him. As interesting as it is to go to extremes in other cases, I'm attempting to go for something closer to realism here, so bear with me.)

While there is probably a narrow chance, that under the exact, right conditions, he could be driven insane or become an extremist in some way, out of guilt or by how ridiculously unjust the whole situation would be, I think it's a little more plausible that Rafal would just bury himself in his work. He could devote his life to Evil, and still keep it in balance with Good, without Rhian there to keep him in check, even if he was more often the one to keep Rhian in check, from what we saw. (He could also become disillusioned with the world and the Pen.)

Given how I view Rafal, I think he would shut down emotionally but not functionally. He wouldn't let himself dwell on the grief for long, and he might even (irrationally) resent Rhian for dying, at first, on the surface, because he's now got twice the work. And yet, the work would be a welcome distraction from his actual grief.

Additionally, I think Rafal would become numb and immune to all emotional appeals from other people. Not even a trick like Hook reminding him of Rhian would work to convince him to change his mind that he's already made up in any future instance. He's never, never investing himself in the fate of another person again. Not when he could lose them. He just... does his job. Someone has to do it after all.

That said, I think his paranoia level would absolutely skyrocket, too, as a result of the whole Vulcan incident, and that he'd isolate himself more than he already did before.

Now comes the part where this may or may not take a weird turn, and I could be projecting with what I'm about to say, but I think I have actual reason to apply it to Rafal, purely out of thinking it could make sense for him, (as just one of the many possible ways he could take Rhian's death. Again, this is all just my speculation. I could easily be wrong, so keep that in mind.)

Ok, I'm not sure if this is a common or a weird thing to think and I had a feeling it could be controversial. Thus, I'm going to preface it with this: my intention is not to sound callous, but...

I (usually) do not miss people when they are gone. (Death is different from just absence though.)

I doubt that I "miss" people in what is the typical way, from what I have heard from others? Though, I have an explanation. Obviously, it depends, but missing others doesn't occupy my every waking thought. (And thoughts about fictional characters are a different type of thought to arise.)

I feel others' presence when they’re around, and when they’re not around, unless I'm concerned for them, I don’t exactly think about them. It's kind of "out of sight, out of mind," except for the cases in which I actually am holding something to say to them in mind for our next encounter.

I’m sorry if this is strange, but I think that’s how I operate most of the time. I don't "wait around" for people to return because I always have some thing to occupy myself with. Can anyone relate?

I suspect that the reason why is because, to me, missing someone is what I would classify as an active feeling. When someone I love is apart from me, I'm usually busy, regardless of whether they're present or not (that doesn't change), and I know that when you're busy, you don't have the time to feel, at least not active emotions. They just... don't occur to you? Or maybe they are not conscious?

Now, from my view of things, if something you feel becomes a problem, and interferes with your daily functioning or general contentment with everyday life, that could very well surface as a real reaction or outburst. But, that's an entirely different matter. I also think that I am reminded of people at times, but that I usually don't "miss" them without there being some kind of (internal or external) stimuli that causes me to think about them.

Maybe, I'm just projecting onto Rafal too much because I relate to him over other characters, and this is silly, or junk psychoanalysis, but it seemed to fit his character also???

Sometimes, I just want recognition more than I want actual companionship since I don't get lonely. I wonder what that says about me? That I'm an introvert, or lazy because relationships require regular maintenance to sustain them? I promise I'm not a misanthrope!

Ok, back to Rafal. He's sunken himself into his work and as such, he wouldn't actively miss Rhian. (If anyone would like more clarification, I'm not saying he wouldn't grieve Rhian at all. It's not that.)

And, if we're going down a more realistic than dramatic route, he wouldn’t lose his sense of self, or his mind over Rhian. Yes, not even Rhian. I think the only thing keeping him running and tethered to his life would be his commitment to the School/keeping himself alive.

What this makes me think of is how people romanticize grief or unrequited love, how they may end up looking wan and eventually wasting away (well, if we're talking about being heartsick in literary/symbolic contexts...). And, I just don't think Rafal would be the type of person to fall into some kind of "madness" or melancholic malady. Grief just wouldn’t be so debilitating or all-consuming to him because he wouldn’t let it do that to him. He wouldn’t stop eating or sleeping as I would expect these behaviors more from someone like Rhian, not him.

Similarly, he might not indulge in pleasurable things, but he’s a bit of an ascetic already anyway, so that’s that. He could potentially renounce pleasurable things in life out of mourning, in a traditional way, but I doubt that would happen either, to be honest. It probably wouldn't cross his mind. At least, it wouldn't happen on a formal, conscious level, even if he could very well deprive himself without realizing it.

I just don't think Rafal would be engulfed by grief, simply because he isn’t that much of an emotionally driven person or that vulnerable to being swept up by personal tragedy, when compared to Rhian, who's more "wild." He’d only let his grief manifest so far, assuming his emotions do still remained locked down and under his control.

So, while he may think about Rhian regularly, he might just accept the fact of Rhian's death, carry on, and not miss him because Rafal missing Rhian could (implicitly) mean becoming non-functional due to grief (or guilt) and that would be too great of a risk for Rafal to take, considering his current reality alone. Basically, to let himself wallow in those emotions would be an unnecessary "risk," from his viewpoint. That's why he might repress that reflective type of thought.

Such feelings would be too much mess or potential disorder for someone like him, especially if he realized he couldn't keep them contained, and they, as a consequence, actually jeopardized his fate or the School's, assuming the grief made him unable to perform his job properly.

(He'd probably subtly resent the Storian as well, for not preserving Rhian's life.)

Also, one small point: in canon, was his bond with Rhian really, truly all-consuming? Let's stop and ask ourselves that for a moment.

Yes, for a time, their bond may have seemed like it was priority no. 1, but Rafal was apart from Rhian for six months, and might not have consciously missed him, if it took him that long to return after getting an external reminder from his interactions with Hook. It might have taken something outside of himself (like the prophecy) for him to come to the realization that he had to return and reestablish his loyalty to Rhian (which was arguably never gone, just dormant for a while). And this would mean that if left alone to his own devices, had he never been moved by James, or "awakened" and been made aware by Adela Sader, he could have taken longer than even six months to return... if he ever decided to at all, if the thought ever arose in the first place.

So, overall, it would only be rarely, when he has nothing to occupy himself with, that Rafal would grieve in some quiet way, and over time, the grief would fade. It wouldn't leave him entirely, but it would diminish, I think, the more and more he distances himself from everything else.

Also, in canon, I suspect that he lies to himself about how much he cares for Rhian. He never shows Rhian much affection, but he sacrifices his life for him, on instinct, which probably means a grieving Rafal would also lie to himself about how “little” he mourns Rhian. In reality, he’d probably mourn Rhian a great deal more than he could know, but wouldn’t have enough self-awareness to realize it.

Perhaps, at night, he would be haunted by Rhian's memory, and take on Rhian's insomniac trait on occasion. Also, to credit @cursed-daydreamer, I think it would be plausible for Rafal to take on a few of Rhian's traits, unconsciously, to compensate for the loss, and fill his void; it could be a way of keeping Rhian's presence in his life.

Lastly, I doubt that Rafal would publicly erect monuments or dedicate anything to Rhian. He wouldn’t want a painful, visual reminder around. His rituals, if we were to call them that, any form of remembrance, I mean, would likely be private, away from prying eyes and students. Rafal wouldn't want to come across as weak or sentimental. That’s the last thing he needs at the moment, a ruined reputation, another so-called threat to his own life/power. Because, increased paranoia could lead him to believe that if he were to show any sign of vulnerability, more "Vulcans" could prey on him and the School.

He could maintain the cherry blossom trees though, but it'd always be a sobering occasion, and he'd never take the credit.

Besides that, he probably wouldn’t go eulogizing his brother or canonizing him. He can still recognize Rhian's flaws, and to praise Rhian so completely would be "too much," too public, and the performative (or contrived) nature of certain mourning customs like those would probably strike him as "wrong" because they just seem... insincere. I don't think Nevers (if we're assuming Rafal remains Evil) put as much much stock in praise anyway, according to their value system.

The exception to the rule would probably be if he recognized that it would be Rhian's wish, to receive some recognition or a dedication. Then, he would do it, out of reverence, I think. He'd have reason to "excuse" it (Rhian's dying wishes), unlike visible emotions, which don't have an excuse to be felt.

⸻

Also, I was wondering: does anyone agree or disagree? I'm really curious because this ask provoked a train of thought I'd never considered before!

#school for good and evil #rise of the school for good and evil #rafal #rafal mistral #rhian #rhian mistral #vulcan of netherwood #sge #sfgae #the school for good and evil #tsfgae #rotsge #rotsfgae #my post #ask #death #grief

[wisteriaum]

felt like i should post rhian next since i posted rafal last.

his hair is a little annoying sometimes, but i enjoy drawing little mini horns on him.

#rhian mistral #rise of the school for good and evil #fall of the school for good and evil #sge fanart #sge

[luannie]

I'm still wondering if Rhian is blond or a redhead.

#rhian mistral #fall of the school for good and evil #rise of the school for good and evil #Or I'm just too slow to notice? what

[rosellemoon]

Rafal glared daggers at him. "Bond of blood or not, you will pay for this if you don't let me out immediately." Rhian ignored him, summoning his gold fingerglow, and a large, wooden box sprouting a crystal cluster manifested before Rafal's birdcage. Rafal raised a brow at his reflection in its window. "What the hell is this?" he asked. "A new invention in Woodswide telecommunications," Rhian said. "Nerd," Rafal said.

The last line is a joke and I'm not keeping it, but yes, I'm writing another oneshot...

#the school for good and evil #rise of the school for good and evil #rhian mistral #rafal mistral

[harmonyverendez]

Still reading Rise SGE, and when I tell you Rafal is so full of shit. I can completely understand why Rhian have all the issues he has.

Rafal isn't being a good brother at all.

But hey! That's the point right?.

SMH

#my post #harmonyverendez #rise of the school for good and evil #fall of the school for good and evil #fotsge #rotsge #rafal mistral #rhian mistral #the schoolmasters #family drama #family issues #sibling rivalry