I know I’ve been slacking when it comes to both reading and writing but I can only apologize. The little time I did devote to reading this past week ended up on starting a reread of Tower of God. I heard from a good friend that it is continuing soon, and I’d like to read it again from the start. Don’t worry, I’ll hopefully get some good writing material out of it as well, since there’s a lot of things that Tower of God does right. But that’s not for today, that’s not why you’re here. You’re here to talk about Chise and Elias, are you not? Then let’s go ahead and do just that!
I’d forgotten where exactly we had left off, but I’m quickly reminded. Joel, the old man from a few chapters ago, was dying and the Leannân Sîdhe that was watching over him went to Chise in desperation. Of course with Chise being the kind-hearted soul she is, she immediately rushes over to check on Joel, with Elias following her shortly after. Unfortunately Joel is nearing the end of his life. He’s an old man after all, at a certain point in life people just reach the end of what they can do. Elias, while looking like his human form, then asks Joel if he’s scared of dying. Of course he is, but it is inevitable. He’d just like to see his muse one more time.
If wishes were horses, huh.
I wasn’t familiar with this proverb so I had to look it up. According to wikipedia (never let your teachers tell you wikipedia isn’t a good source, just learn how to use it properly) “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride” is a nursery rhyme first recorded in a collection of Scottish proverbs in 1628. It means “if wishing could make things happen, then even the most destitute people would have everything they wanted.” Wouldn’t that be great? But then again there would be people who would abuse their wishes. What if you could only wish for good and positive things then? Well, then who gets to decide what counts as good and positive? Why is this so difficult. Moving on.
Chise then thinks of something she’s read about: Fairy Ointment. If rubbed on a human’s eyelids it allows them to see Fae creatures. With Elias’ hesitant approval she goes to work. It takes five days to make it and Chise ends up being completely exhausted, but it allows Joel one last chance to see his muse. He then passes away in her arms, giving over his life to her. It’s the first chapter in this manga that truly made me cry, it’s beautifully written and illustrated.
Unfortunately, all things come at a cost, especially when a Sleigh Beggy is involved. Chise collapses while coughing up blood at the end of chapter 22, with Oberon and Elias worried for her immediately.
Next we meet Shannon and Shanahan. A changeling and the human that she was changed for. I had to think for a moment who Shannon reminded me off, but it’s Umeko from the currently airing Mashiro no Oto.
And while Chise healing with Shannon in the Faerie Kingdom we finally get something I’ve wanted for a while now. We get a chapter centered on Silky. It turns out she gets rather lonely when the rest of the house is absent. We learn that Silky used to be a banshee, but the house she belonged to is now gone. After wandering for a while she finds someone who leads her to a new house, and turns her into more of a caring spirit. And just in time, Elias and Chise return and Silky embraces them happily.
It is my duty to nurture the light that shines within my home.
And just like that it’s Christmas! I mean Yule, it’s Yule day. The shortest day of the year, and preparations are in order. Chise, Ruth and Elias go out into the forest to collect holly, ivy and mistletoe for the house, whilce Elias teaches Chise about the cultural differences among the fae. They also adjust to where they live, and like Elias says, having ivy in the desert doesn’t make much sense. We then get to see two fickle gods walk by and they give off a scarier aura than anything else has so far. For once this volume doesn’t end on a big cliffhanger. We do see what looks to be a messenger bird arrive at Alice’ place, but that could mean anything. Maybe it’s a New Year’s invitation. Yes, that’s probably it. We also learn in the afterword that Elias sleeps sitting up or on his stomach because he has horns. The more you know.
As usual, this was a great volume and I can’t wait for the next one. We’re past one third of what is available right now, so we still have a little ways to go. I hope to see you all again next time!
Opal Kaharis 