In which I babble about countries again

Why is coordinating character ages and meeting years and getting to know years so haaaaaaaaaard D8

Anyway.

I've heard something interesting in a lecture today; something that I already knew before but of course forgot 8D And I noticed how prefectly it could fit Magvel. I mean, we all noticed that the "all countries are friends" thing is pretty strange and unrealistic. But. If we assume that "friend" is not used as meaning "a person we like and like to spend time with", but in the sense of "amicitia" then it makes sense.

Since there is no wiki page in English fo "amicitia" let me quickly summarise it. "Amicitia" is a Roman concept which means that the Romans made a "friendship contract" with another country which elevates the country from a subordinated partner to an equal partner, i.e. they are on the same level. It's a "friendship" that is based on a contract; the signees are obligated to be friendly, support the partner, be fair and they have equal rights in commerce. It has nothing to do with personal emotions; you can totally hate your partner, but if you signed the contract, you're obligated to act friendly and supportive.

And that is what I see between the Magvel countries. They all have such contracts. In case of Renais and Grado, I believe that there are also mutual friendly feelings between the Royal families. The fact that the twins and Lyon know each other well is a sign that they had much contact and spend a considerable amount of time with each other. Also, Fado´s reaction in the beginning indicates, for me at least, that he is disappointed on an emotional level. Also, it's pretty obvious - for the same reasons - that Frelia and Renais are friends in the normal sense as well. See Tana and Eirika, and Ephraim and Innes.

In case of Frelia and Grado, I believe there are no really deeply friendly feelings. There are no negative feelings, but personal headcanon dictates that there are tensions between the countries (or at least the after-effect of earlier conflicts). I always found it strange that Innes doesn't seem to know Lyon. Or at least he didn't spend much time with him. Maybe that's because Innes didn't like Lyon, though it honestly doesn't sound like that in game. So I conclude that Frelia and Grado are not as close as Grado and Renais. Hayden and Viggy like each other well enough, but a deep friendship, no. Personal headcanon also dictates that they first met when they were 17/19, while Hayden and Fado met at age 9/9, and Fado and Viggy at 12/14. It mostly has to do with their fathers and a move that Frelia hasn't forgiven Grado at that point of time.

Neither royalty from Frelia and Renais recognized L'Arachel or Joshua so they haven't ever met. I conclude that Jehanna has a strictly "amicitia" relationship with everyone.

Rausten is a bit tricky, but I think they're a bit similar to Jehanna. L'Arachel might have met any royal child before, but then they would've been so young that they don't remember each other.

And now for something completely different:

Turisas is the perfect soundtrack for pirate sheningans.

(no subject)

Ffffffffffffffff, I always forget the video game meme XD Have to answers at once (again):

12. Game everyone should play

Fire Emblem, of course 8D Also, Secret of Mana and Terranigma.

13. Game you've played more than five times

Secret of Mana, FE8, Lufia 2, Terranigma, Tales of Symphonia, Zelda: A Link to the Past, Zelda: Ocarina of Time. That should be all, methinks.

( Meme Number 1 )

Now, another meme 8D

Name a character from one of my fandoms, and I will reply saying:
* How I FEEEEEL about this character
* All the people I ship romantically with this character
* My non-romantic OTP for this character
* My unpopular opinion about this character
* One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon.

Also, you can name as many characters as you like :3

(no subject)

Looks like a spam day for me XD Don't mind my babbling.

So, still contemplating a Mansel story. Mostly about things relating to his brother, L'Arachel´s father. I really want to make it slightly sad, but also show that Mansel loves his family, especially his brother, the most and even sacrifices his own happiness for them. In this case he takes on the vows of celibacy to become Pontifex even though his brother is older and should've become Pontifex. And even though Mansel is seriously in love with a woman as well. Nnh, drama~

The only problem? Writing a religious character. Which Mansel clearly is. And I... just can't get into his head because of that. Because I don't understand it. On a rational level I understand that people like to believe because it gives them hope/a feeling of security/a reason for life/etc. But emotional or on any other level? I don't. I don't know how you can believe into a higher being just like that. I can't and don't get it. So it's awkward and strange to write.

The thought that I might not be able to write Mansel makes me sad :(