Rou and Ailan

[nijibug]

On Rou and Ailan:

Ailan and Rou's relationship is one of mutual respect, fascination, and admiration, ironclad by the bonds of friendship over many years.

Rou views and values Ailan as an individual and not a subsidiary of the Elfish people nor a subject of the Elfish dominion. In fact, I would go as far as to say that Rou is 100% responsible for Ailan's "I will do as I please, when it pleases me" attitude that gives King Rhad such a hard time. Because on his own, Ailan is but a single-track-minded "I must defend and do my duty" type guy.

Rou made Ailan the commander of himself.

A part of me believes that Ailan sought Rou out, another part that they met by accident. Neither character believes in fate, so whatever works. :]

I think the obvious aside, the reason I can't mesh Rou with Foxtail is that Rou and Ailan are equals. If we try to be too literal, that can be boggling considering these characters' respective ages and even "races". But in terms of experiences and how that has shaped their characters, it makes sense.

Foxtail was a guardian since his youth; he later became a bitter vagabond; finally he became Ailan's teacher. In each respect, he is Ailan's 长辈. There's a reverential/spiritual generation gap between them.

Not to say Rou had nothing to teach Ailan, but he didn't approach Ailan as a teacher. He did so as a friend, hoping to glean a few things for himself.

I would also think it's important that Rou and Ailan fell in love together — not at the same time of course. It would be all sorts of implausible for them to run into their respective future wives in the same place and realize they were in love simultaneously. But what I'm saying here is that they were young together, shared hopes, achieved dreams, vanquished foes, and talked about girls together. These experiences make their bond even stronger, more like that of brothers. And that's where I'm coming from when I say equals.