So I got to the colored section! Here is Cyneria:

She’s so fucking extra:

and she used to be just, super cute:

Like Etheria, she used to be an apprentice scientist. Unlike Etheria, she chose to become a witch, thinking it would enable her to get the answers to all of her many questions. It was only afterwards that she realized what she had lost in order to get her answers and begin to regret her choice (but of course by then it was too late).

That is one thing she definitely has going for her: this series could easily be extremely formulaic. It wouldn’t even be surprising given the age range. But Tea consistently switches things up. Just when you think you know the pattern, she does something new.

Which is just nice to see!

look I’m pretty sure if anything happened to Nives, Gunnar would pine to death he just loves her so much and it’s kind of interesting to see that portrayed in the male character as opposed to the female.

Remember how he devoted his entire life to her even when he was cursed?

Remember how Diamante asked him what his favorite thing in the world was and he said Nives without even hesitating?

And just now “I owe Gunnar my life,” says Nives, to which Gunnar replies “You are my life”

and then the follow up basically “he held her for a long time, and in her arms he found again strength and hope” like god damn how am I supposed to fight that?

Gunnar is so squishy and romantic and I just adore him for it! Whereas he’s always trying to provide comfort and Nives so often is like, ready to jump into a situation sword drawn.

It’s just NICE.