Force and Flow — Steal and Serve
Thief/Rogue
Key Verb: Steal
Copacetic Sub-Verbs: Take, Obtain, Receive, Distribute, Rob
Unifying Myth: Outlaws, Pirates
Thieves and Rogues, described by Callie as the Steal classes, are another freebie we understand pretty well already. Which means I get to once again explore the broader mechanics at play in this section.
The classes are a spectrum, and now that we’ve moved away from the furthest existential extremes of Destroy and Create, we can expect a bit more overlap and gentler switching between Yin and Yang states.
This means two things:
- These classes have an easier time switching from Passive to Active states than the more extreme Destroy/Create classes do. Doing so is typically less dramatic onto the plot, and less visceral and exhausting for the character in question, too.
- These classes may switch back and forth between Allowing and Exploiting their Aspect with greater frequency, too. This makes them somewhat more versatile than Destroyers/Creators, who seem to stick harder towards one use or the other.
I will note Dirk once again describing Roxy as more group-oriented and selfless than the other three Alphas, which is true — even where Roxy begrudges Dirk his romantic disinterest in her, she doesn’t try to force things actively. Instead, Roxy pulls back from the Jakestakes and tries to manage the scenario from the sidelines for both Jane and Dirk’s benefit.
That she maintains an interest in Dirk throughout this feeds her passive aggressiveness towards him, but she still finds herself drawn to trying to help him through a breakup and worrying about his state of mind.
Consider her mirror in Vriska, who decides not to tell John about his Dad dying out of concern for his feelings — an act that could be construed as selfless…but does so because she doesn’t want to be the one who makes him sad, and wonders if that makes her selfish.
In her rant with (Vriska), Vriska also notes that she thinks giving up responsibility for the greater good is in and of itself selfish, meaning that to some degree she thinks of herself as acting selflessly by adopting her take-charge, get-shit-done persona, even when it leads her to usurping or trampling on the wills of others.
Roxy also gives us valuable insight on the nature of selflessness — namely, that it’s not always a good thing! That Roxy is more moved by thinking she failed Dirk than by thinking she failed herself BOTHERS her about herself, just as countless characters express frustrations with their own selfishness.
And Roxy is one of the clearest examples of a Passive Class acting Active in one sense while being Passive in another, as well. After all, creating the Matriorb is an incredibly conscious, laborious process for Roxy — it’s quite definitely an exploitation of her Aspect. But it’s done for the benefit of another — both of Kanaya specifically, and of an entire civilization.
The Condesce is another odd case in this respect, as she extends the Psiionic’s lifespan, which technically qualifies as benefiting him in that it allows him to continue living and impacting reality…but really only does it so he can serve as the fuel for her ship, thus benefiting herself.
I mostly only include it because it’s a rare, clear instance of a Non-Seer, Non-Player character developing Classpect powers without having
played the game.
Finally, Vriska provides us with an interesting example in her childhood. When she was at her most insecure and worried she wouldn’t be able to rise up to the challenges before her, she sees a shooting star — a Light source — and reacts to it, following it and discovering the Light of Mindfang’s story within.
She steals Mindfang’s identity for herself, but she doesn’t actually describe herself as Stealing it. She only describes herself as being inspired by the story she read, and she believes the things she took were left for her.
She’s not really exploiting the story consciously, because she’s fundamentally reactive to it! In this sense Vriska functions as the opposite of Roxy stealing the Matriorb — she Allows Light to benefit herself.
Of course, it turns out to be a poor fit down the line, and arguably hurts her as much as it helps. But you could say the same about Roxy’s drinking allowing Void to benefit herself by helping her forget about her problems. Short-term Benefit doesn’t necessarily translate to long-term health.
She does this again as (Vriska). When watching Lord English destroy Paradox Space, she describes the show as Fireworks (another Light source) and Allows Light to benefit her, coming into posession of one of the most important pieces of knowledge in the entire comic as far as achieving Enlightenment goes — information that neither Lord English nor Alpha Vriska can see. Information that eventually leads her to Terezi.
This higher degree of flexibility when compared to the Destroy/Create classes is a consistent trend for all the classes going forward — which means it’s time to switch to talking about the other side of this coin: The Serve Pair.
Page/Knight
Key Verb: Serve
Copacetic Sub-Verbs: Equip, Use, Weaponize, Provide, Serve, Help, Distribute
Unifying Myth: Butlers, Warriors
I’ve written literally way too goddamn much on Knights/Pages and Dirk and Jake’s relationship, so for the most part I’m just going to link to this post:
[Knights and Pages — Serving, Service and Ownage]
As my main argument in favor of the Unifying Myth of Butlers.
Suffice it to say, a Butler is one who Serves — both through the providing of literal service as well as by serving/providing goods like food. In this sense, Knights and Pages can be considered a class focused on both service and on Giving their aspect to themselves or others.
Knights actively try to serve others — but they often end up doing so ineffectively. They’re much more effective when they embrace their group support roles honestly, and happier when they stop trying to take charge.
Karkat, for example, is routinely at his best when he allows Blood to benefit those around him without being aware of his own power to do so, even as he actively tries to lead others through ruthless leadership.
Pages, meanwhile, inspire others to serve them — but once they develop the strength of will to directly exploit their Aspects, as Jake does in the Masterpiece, they become much more powerful.
Which does point to a few new bits of information I think are worth adding to the analysis pile. Which does not stop from getting taller. I keep getting served these additional morsels left and right, like I am a dude trapped on Butler Island, and the only meal is Homestuck analysis. I am so full. Please help me.
Just for the record, here’s one more reference to Jake’s self-absorption and selfishness. While I’m here, I thought I would touch on how this reading of Pages reflects on Horuss. And also Jake again.
Back in the day, Horuss’ manipulative behavior was likened to Dirk’s behavior in his relationship with Jake. Which is hilarious to me because Horruss DOES establish a parallel to the Alphas here… with Jake’s behavior, not Dirk’s.
As I wrote previously, Jake serves himself through Hope by believing whatever his friends tell him that is most convenient to him, while also getting them to help him with his desires.
This is Jake using his higher flexibility as a Page to his advantage. He takes the initiative in approaching Jane, and then actively forces her into adopting a stance up-front, casting himself in the Yin position so he can merely react to what she says all the while.
Hell, Jake literally admits to being aware of having pressured Jane during her attempted confession — a confession over pinings Jake already knew about and described as unrequited when speaking to Roxy.
He then promptly stops her from taking it back, adopting the Yang position now that Jane is reacting to their newly-established dynamic, lets her know it was a relief to find out, and conscripts her totally 100% non-fake platonic Friendliness to help him in figuring things out with Dirk.
Which keeps Jane — an Active Creation player who more healthily occupies a Yang mindset and who has a much harder time switching between Passive and Active states reactive and receptive to Jake’s will and ready to help him through his problems. For six months.
He even does the cutting Jane off thing when what she says isn’t what he wants to hear, Serving himself Hope and choosing to believe whatever statement is most convenient to him before she can counter it too directly.
But shit this is getting a little too close to making Jake look unlikable so here’s a quick reminder that, while an ass in this context, Jake is also willing to die protecting Jane after she threatened him with sexual slavery. This is a good boy who loves his friends and is worthy of admiration and love at the end of the day, ok? People can be flawed and still good I promise.
Now let’s go back to looking at the horse asshole.
Horuss does exactly the same thing Jake does when confronted with a break-up. He simply serves himself Void in response— pretending he straight up didn’t hear what Rufioh said — and changes the subject to a romantic meeting just like Jake constantly talks up what a good friend Jane is while getting her help in managing his Dirk issues.
In both cases, the Pages make it as difficult as possible for the other party to approach them honestly, and personally benefit from continuing the status quo.
And while it’s possible to think that Jake is simply allowing his Hope to benefit him, it’s clear that Horuss is actively exploiting Void — he is directly conscious of what’s happening and what he’s doing, given the sweat drops on his talk sprite. In this, we get a suggestion of how even two different members of the same Class can execute their class differently.
Now let’s move on to the second Unifying Myth — that of the Warrior.
Historically speaking, Warriors are a class of society specializing in combat and warfare. That is to say, the imposition of the will of an individual or collective through force and violence. Because negotiating the imposition of will is also a major factor in Leadership, both Warrior classes have a connection to that concept as well. As a result, all four classes have a particular relationship with the concept of Fighting and Battle.
Warriors also typically operate based on Codes of Honor, which squares perfectly well with both Knights and Pages’ constructed Personas. The Knight’s personas are tailored to get people to rely on them, while the Page’s personas are tailored to get people to aid them.
That these codes are established to avoid corruption or the Warrior becoming dangerous to their societies also reflects how Dave, Karkat and Jake all struggle with their respective relationships to queerness. Dave and Jake avoid their bisexuality by using their Cool Guy and Adventurer Hothead personas respectively, and Karkat avoids his panquadrant feelings by overdramatically playing up how great the Quadrants are.
Knights hold themselves accountable for the entire party, while Pages actively avoid accountability and responsibility. And historically, a Page is a young Knight in Training, who will receive not just aid and goods but also instruction from the Knights surrounding them.
This leads to a bizarre dynamic. Knights actively tend to treat the friends surrounding them as Pages, being incredibly forward and willing to offer not just goods and services, but advice — positioning themselves as authorities who should be trusted and listened to, and doing it all for the benefit of others.
Pages, on the other hand, inspire others to act as their Knights for their OWN benefit.
While Karkat finds the Warrior Spirit something to personally aspire to, Tavros inspires both beasts and friends to act as his personal warriors,
having them aid him in accomplishing whatever he wants to do (though this can sometimes backfire). Tavros’ talent, then, is in convincing others to follow his Will — something he does Passively at some times and Actively at others, but almost always to his own benefit. Unless, you know. Vriska’s involved.
The theme of Pages getting others to act as their Knights is redoubled with Jake, who allows Hope to summon an idealized, imaginary version of his best friend, calling himself his boyfriend post-breakup, to act as his personal warrior — Benefiting Him. Sorry, got a bit carried away there. Can’t ever get over how gay that is.
But seriously, real quick before we continue? I’ve seen people responding to this scene by saying it isn’t relevant to Jake’s desires because Jake has been manipulated by Aranea, and uh…I really have to point out that makes literally no sense. Forreal. I’ll fight about it.
Because Brain Ghost Dirk is summoned specifically to oppose Aranea here. That’s his entire purpose of being, and Aranea didn’t even know HOW he existed, so even if she somehow had a reason to summon him, her reaction does not at all imply that she did. This isn’t Aranea’s will at play, which means Jake is exploiting the power she forced out of him to exert his.
So uh, yeah. Checkmate, atheists. Etc etc.
Anyway, Pages’ desire for service works out for Dirk too, because Dirk crafts his entire identity around the idea of living up to Dave’s mythological legacy. While Dirk does things in his own way — still being a Prince of Heart at his core — being with Jake allows Dirk to cheat himself closer to Dave’s image by performing the servicial elements of a Knight as an adopted lifestyle.
So Dirk is like Vriska — trying to live up to a mythological role that isn’t natively his. But through his relationship with Jake, Dirk becomes something that, near as I can tell so far, is wholly unique — a successful case of someone roleplaying a Class that isn’t theirs in a healthy way.
Jake’s behavior in summoning Dirk this way, by the way, is a direct contrast to Roxy’s creation of the matriorb, by the way — where the Passive Stealer of the Alpha session exploits her Aspect to benefit others, the Active Server allows his Aspect to benefit himself. In both cases, the Player makes something out of nothing — they just go about it in different ways.
But it’s when Jake exploits Hope that his power truly shines, as he willfully rises up to deal Caliborn his first defeat — this time coming to Dirk’s defense instead of having Dirk save him. Though given all the vaguely blackrom-coded language surrounding Caliborn and Dirk and the gay romance language linked to the Hope Bubble, it’s possible there may be an element of selfish jealousy to Jake’s actions here, indicating he’s acting for his own benefit after all.
Either way, it’s thoroughly in keeping with a Page’s potential behavior.
Tavros’ gathering of the Ghost Army is also an active process where he exploits Breath to inspire others to follow him, but many seem to consider it Passive in the sense that they think he’s doing it for Vriska’s benefit.
He is not. Tavros is acting for his own benefit, and he gathers the Ghost Army specifically so he can take the credit and use it for a specific purpose:
Owning the fuck out of Vriska. To put it another way, what we’re watching here is Vriska getting Served. But not in the butlering sense — strictly in the sense of dealing someone a devastating rhetorical loss. And immediately once he deals wrecks her shit, he pretty much goes on to ignore her completely, focusing all his attention on Meenah.
He gives Meenah the army OVER Vriska, despite barely even knowing her. Which makes total sense — Tavros is a Self-centered Breath player, the Aspect of freedom and detachment. He was happy enough to get all these ghosts to help him with wrecking Vriska’s shit, but there’s nothing in Tavros’ character that suggests he WANTS responsibility or control over anyone, let alone a vast group of people with literally the highest stakes imaginable in question.
Though the way he goes about handing it over is…well. What the fuck is he doing, exactly? This is really out of nowhere and random, right? Doesn’t it feel contrived and ridiculous? I know it did for me.
Until I realized. I’ve seen this before.
This is Tavros buttering someone up. When they want something specific from someone, Pages are very good at resorting to flattery. And if you’re doubting Tavros is as capable of doing so as Jake and Horruss, well…Tavros has self-evidently far improved his persuasion skills, hasn’t he? I mean, he
got what he wanted out of nearly every self-absorbed ghost in
Paradox Space.
And Meenah has something Tavros wants, because Tavros died at 13 and never really grew up like the other characters — in keeping with his Peter Pan fantasy. But never growing up means Tavros still has another fantasy he wanted to live up to — one that originates all the way back in the early days of Hivebent.
Becoming a Cavalreaper. Which is exactly what he does, if this jousting practice figure is anything to go by! Tavros ends up missing a shield, but he’s got the jousting lance down, and Meenah literally uses him as Cavalry — fulfilling the first half of the name.
It’s also worth noting that despite being much younger than Meenah and Aranea age-wise (he died younger and his entire thing is not growing up), Tavros holds his own in the fight against Lord English about as well as they do. Considering Meenah’s power-level was once implied to be equivalent to the original Vriska’s, that puts him about on par with her, too.
Tavros living out two fantasies and free of all burdens and responsibilities makes a formidable Warrior in his own right, even as a Ghost denied the opportunity to really grow or mature like the other characters. He’s certainly come far from his old showdown with Vriska in [S] Wake.
And Vriska had exactly fuckall to do with it. Good job, kid. I’m proud.
Now I think we’re ready to move on to Knights. Again, I laid out most of my argument for Knights in the post linked above, so here’s the link again. I did find a couple more things worth noting to add to my case, however.
First off, Karkat dropping Sollux down the stairs counts as Karkat acting passively under both definitions, as the event knocks his front teeth out, allowing Blood to flow from Sollux’s mouth. It turns out this is Karkat allowing Blood to benefit Sollux, too, as Sollux ends up being pretty happy to be able to speak without his lisp!
Finally, I don’t think I need to prove how group-oriented and selfless Dave and Karkat are, but I did find this exchange notable. Seers are also a Passive class, and here we have Rose and Dave each trying to argue each other down from taking ownership of their suicide mission. Each trying to get the other to prioritize themselves while personally prioritizing the other.
Rose isn’t able to talk Dave down until she admits to another way he can help her, giving him a way to be of service to her by just spending some time with her before she dies. Obviously soon after this Rose ends up in danger and Dave flies off to save her, putting them both on the moon anyway — but the exchange itself is notable for how it tells us Dave thinks about things.
Dave’s instinctual focus — like Kanaya, Gamzee, Roxy, and others — is on how he can help others, and he’ll take pretty much any opportunity to do for those he cares about, even at the cost of his own desires.
Lastly for now, we’ve got this moment, which I found notable because it showcases Dave acting reactively both to the will of another — in this case, Terezi — and to the will of his Aspect — in this case, Future Dave.
Dave continually talks about how he’s simply presented with time loops over the course of the Beta session that he’s then obliged to complete.
Which sounds very much like behaving as if through the will of the Aspect.
That’s all on this pair, though I’m sure I’ll have more to say about it in the future. For now, feel free to check out the other pairs:
[Active/Passive Masterpost] [Destroy and Create] [Know and Change]
Special credit goes to meteorMatador for informing me about the Serve verb in the first place. This piece wouldn’t have been written without him.
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Keep rising.
