Sweet Clove. It reminds me of how I’ve thought I’ve seen people respond to trauma either by withdrawing or becoming overly aggressive. It’s sad when being mean seems like a more effective survival strategy.
I adore the Foster.
It’s not so much a choice as it is a process through different stages of grief. One of them is anger, and I suspect Clove’s brother is trapped in the anger stage–he’s angry at their parents for dying. I suspect that Clove’s brother doesn’t even realize why he’s so upset. Of course that doesn’t excuse his treatment of his younger brother, but there *is* a reason behind his behavior.
I also really feel for Clove, and I love that foster for being so wise and comfortable with physical contact. And, I’m glad Botan didn’t have a bad reaction when it became clear to him that Clove *needed* to be touched for comfort.
My impression is that Botan doesn’t *feel* the prohibition, but does try to fit in with society, so is *aware* of it, and can easily ignore it when needed.
Okay so that’s why he’s embarrassed. I was trying to understand how Clove’s past related to his current situation and your comment helped clear things up for me.
That would be pretty bad. Like, “If you care about me, why are you letting me do something so inappropriate? Do you think I’m that weak to need babying?”
It’s similar to how Poppy reacted, except Clove is without Abeille for support and alone with his painful memories.
The really sad thing about this is that Clove indicated during the apple picking with Botan that things between him and his brother didn’t exactly improve and the brother stayed “kind of a jerk” (as Clove put it). And I don’t just mean that it’s sad for Clove, but also for the brother because it obviously means that he didn’t really manage to get over losing the parents even with more time passing.
Sweet Clove. It reminds me of how I’ve thought I’ve seen people respond to trauma either by withdrawing or becoming overly aggressive. It’s sad when being mean seems like a more effective survival strategy.
I adore the Foster.
It’s not so much a choice as it is a process through different stages of grief. One of them is anger, and I suspect Clove’s brother is trapped in the anger stage–he’s angry at their parents for dying. I suspect that Clove’s brother doesn’t even realize why he’s so upset. Of course that doesn’t excuse his treatment of his younger brother, but there *is* a reason behind his behavior.
I also really feel for Clove, and I love that foster for being so wise and comfortable with physical contact. And, I’m glad Botan didn’t have a bad reaction when it became clear to him that Clove *needed* to be touched for comfort.
My impression is that Botan doesn’t *feel* the prohibition, but does try to fit in with society, so is *aware* of it, and can easily ignore it when needed.
Agreed, on all points.
I really hope he doesn’t try to break up with Botan out of a deepened sense of shame, making him believe it’s some sort of obligation.
Okay so that’s why he’s embarrassed. I was trying to understand how Clove’s past related to his current situation and your comment helped clear things up for me.
That would be pretty bad. Like, “If you care about me, why are you letting me do something so inappropriate? Do you think I’m that weak to need babying?”
It’s similar to how Poppy reacted, except Clove is without Abeille for support and alone with his painful memories.
Would that it were, Madam. Would that it were.
That said, I can’t think of a better thing to say to a kid under the circumstances.
It’s the details – that little foot stuck under the pillow – that make this fantasy real.
The really sad thing about this is that Clove indicated during the apple picking with Botan that things between him and his brother didn’t exactly improve and the brother stayed “kind of a jerk” (as Clove put it). And I don’t just mean that it’s sad for Clove, but also for the brother because it obviously means that he didn’t really manage to get over losing the parents even with more time passing.
My soul is crying.