Arlefuri: A rundown and clear-up on ship misunderstandings. (It is only if you want to, that you can link this anywhere else only if it'll be to good use)
Hey chat, It is I, ryo... I have lately been feeling stressed over this so I will finally pull out a rentry on this. Of course my information may be incorrect, but I try my best. When looking at the contents, keep in mind that I do not want any harassment towards me or the people that like Arlefuri. People can hate it, people can just not care about it, but people cannot start attacking the shippers. I am also going to say this: I AM NOT TRYING TO PROMOTE THE SHIP IN ANY WAY. You do not have to ship it after reading this, people have their own opinions and its okay if you still hate it after. It isn't that I would care if you hate it, as long as you understand my perspective.
(This is NOT a required read before you say anything, you do not have to actually go through this once again and you can simply close the tab, thank you!)
Not all information may be accurate, and the use of AI may be used to further assist me in diving into the ship dynamics. Updates will be held time to time to remove or add information that is most likely correct to subject.
Now I do present to you:
Why I believe Arlefuri is not as bad as others think, with my personal reasons and other thoughts regarding interactions and such.
Once again, I do not want any harassment after skimming through this.
First Point: The first interaction presented in Act IV: Cataclysm's Quickening (That ONE interaction)
First of all, there has been frequent mischaracterizations on the intentions that Arlecchino had on her mission. People have said that Arlecchino is going to 'kill' Furina. Let me clarify that her mission was to take the Hydro Gnosis. However, it was kept away within the Oratrice. Arlecchino didn't know of this information until she got on close proximity, she found that Furina did not hold it, or even felt of the presence of a god. However, even if Furina did have the gnosis and Arlecchino took it, it would not kill her. Archons do hold them, however not all have a use of it. Yes, I was also aware of how Furina is a human while archons are literal gods. More info may be added onto this point. Furina was definitely unsettled and rather mentally harmed in the moment. It wasn't only that she was scared of Arlecchino, but how her secret of not being the archon will be known by her. More info may be added to this section later.
Second Point: The voice lines about each other, analyzing other interactions individually.
This point will be a bit longer somehow, and is guaranteed to go off topic, and as always, there may or may not be incorrect information. Upon Furina's release, there are many voice lines of different characters. In her "About: The Knave"(Arlecchino)'s voiceline, she talked about her in fear, clearly terrified upon the mention of her after the incident. This would be unlocked after Act 4, now let us get to Arlecchino's voice line. In her "About: Furina" voice line, unlocked after Act 5, she knew of her mistakes and instead of herself sending over those cakes, she had her children do it. It was not that Arlecchino did it herself, knowing that if she appeared in front of the so called archon, she wouldn't take the interaction well. As Arlecchino is also a very great observer, she is able to pick out the right amenities for Furina to enjoy. It isn't expected that after giving out cakes, that Furina's fear of Arlecchino would just fade away. It would in some way fade, but it doesn't disappear so suddenly. This took place right after the trial most likely, now knowing that Furina has been taken out of the archon role. That is what I am thinking, at least. However people do still say that Arlecchino has gave Furina PTSD and cannot be forgiven through simply giving out cakes. This might be a bit stupid to say, but wouldn't it feel worse to be on a trial in front of all of your people, and being revealed to be a cursed human all this time? The people cannot see you as the archon they trusted and therefore you feel like you have failed despite wanting this freedom? I know that Furina would expect this trial to happen with Focalors revealing the sort of plan to her during the 'Mirror-Me' scene, but I still wouldn't think she would have PTSD from that encounter itself. More info will be added or the information here may be shortened to stay on relevancy.
Third Point: The meeting between Arlecchino and Furina (With the Traveler)
Now, as I have not observed this scene as of much, likely this one will have a lacking of my point of view and information, it will also be inaccurate. In the meeting, you could see how Furina was when interacting with Arlecchino. She showed a sort of vulnerability and perhaps a sense of her being uncomfortable. Arlecchino had shared those points of her role as an archon, her plans of the future and events during the trial. People believe Furina is terrified of Arlecchino after the incident. Yes, that is one factor. Another one though, is how Arlecchino was creeping closer to the truth about Furina. It is that if anybody knew of Furina's secret, that all of Fontaine would be in ruins. Not only that factor, but also simply her role itself too, as the thought of just the Fatui itself is scary, but also interacting with a harbinger yourself. This is especially if you are only human. The way Arlecchino expresses her points to Furina, which seems to be of intimidation, but also showing her criticism and has been striking her weakest points. Of course she will be putting on her defensive and confident facade, but she has grown rather tired of her role as Archon, dedicating all her time into appearing so convincing to her people. However, the way Arlecchino sorts things out Furina is not abusive in a way, and her way of communication would be used in sorts like politics. More info will be added later.
My personal thoughts on the pairing:
I will be very honest about the pairing of Arlefuri, I don't really see them as a pairing that would be based on what they are but what they could be. Their complex dynamic is interesting and what makes the ship this way. They made mistakes, and they both are doing their best to make it up for one another. I do not expect them to be lovey dovey after the trial, as the wounds throughout their interactions takes quite some time to heal before they can properly interact as friends then lovers. Which I do not expect to happen in such a fast pace. I will also say this, I see them in a more platonic light when it comes to relationship. I wouldn't believe they are into more desireful things in any way. They don't seem the type to do that. I am aware it is a complicated ship, though there is worse out there that are complicated... It is not entirely healthy of a ship, nor is it entirely toxic either. I just wanted to put this out there and I hope you understand, or not that is fine either.
Other stuff:
It is your choice to share this around or not to try and get this point across others, but I do not want more hate towards me for putting this out. If you truly dislike this, simply scroll away and don't say much. I get overwhelmed with the constant thoughts of just thinking of what my friends and others will say when I reveal that I like this ship, so I appreciate no sort of hate and a simple silence. As always, if you read this through, thanks for taking the time. It is appreciated.
- Ryo/Rinnei.