I like this MC

Dis November 14, 2024 1:20 am

We’re only a little ways in so far but I really like how… fair his internal monologue is. Not just to others, but to himself. He doesn’t really reproach himself as weak for needing protection, but he (quite fairly) resents the way it forces him to concede to the wishes of others when it comes to his own autonomy.

His whole internal conflict about the way the ML is in and out of his life feels so satisfyingly grounded. He knows that the ML works hard and respects his need to focus on his work, but also recognises his own need for clear boundaries in their relationship and is frustrated when the ML seems to waltz back and forth over it like it’s nothing.

He’s quick to honor the trust in his relationships, like immediately reporting on weird people or encounters, being fast to ask for help before risking his own safety trying to protect his pride etc. And it makes me think like… he’s earned better than the arms length he’s held at ‘for his own good’.

It feels like to me that the point of view character we’re looking at is the only one clued into the fact that he’s demonstrably capable of handling himself, and meanwhile everyone else is in this la la land haze of wanting to keep treating him like a child for no reason other than they can.

I feel for the guy, he’s got the right to voice his frustrations about this but he swallows a lot in the interest of everyone else’s priorities. I feel like we’re heading to a point where the lack of context our MC is given about his own abilities and vulnerabilities is going to put him in danger because he’ll act, thinking he’s safer than he actually is. And if that does happen I think he’ll scream for realsies.

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