princessamericachavez:

I’ve been overthinking a lot about how Fjord and Jester’s mission went so smoothly compared to every other mess that went down this episode, and I think it all comes down to trust (and very good rolls, too, if I’m being honest but let’s see this from the storytelling side okay?)

Like, let’s compare things, yes?

The boys’ mission? A mess. Why? Because, the moment they were presented with an obstacle they each tried to approach them in their particular way. Molly went over the top with a showy facade, then Fjord tried to walk in and smooth-talk his way in, and then Caleb and Nott enacted one of their cons. They each got caught and in trouble individually, because they weren’t in sync with each other.

The first house? They all acted on their particular instincts instead of letting the others help and listening to each other. They couldn’t decide how to go in, once they were on the roof, because they each thought their idea was the best. When Caleb found magic things, he told them to touch nothing and, after they deactivated the first thing, he said the carpet was still magical. Yet, Nott used mage hand for it, instead of waiting for the others to weight in. During the fight, Jester warned them that hurting the rug harmed Nott, but Beau and Ulog kept dealing damage without listening to her. Beau tried to warn them not to fuck the rug, but Ulog still destroyed it. Then, Nott opened the magical box on her own, instead of relying on the others’ help to make sure it was safe, and then Caleb started arguing with Beau and Jester about the letters in order to pocket the magical rock in it. None of this works to leave no traces.

The second house? The second team was unnecessary and went in reaching for their particular interests Caleb (magic), Nott (shinnies), Ulog (vengeance).  While Caleb, Nott and Ulog were in a hurry to get in, they left Beau as a look-out, even though she has no night-vision. And they left her with Molly. They dislike each other so much that they do not work together, so their perception checks were individual when, with assist, they could’ve had advantage and notice the HR arriving. Also, before they leave, Fjord says “touch nothing” but Caleb immediately reaches for the scroll, while Jester insists that somebody’s coming. 

But Fjord and Jester together? She walks inside as the HR and he comes like a crowns guard, which so far is going well, until they stumble with the locked door. And right there Jester could’ve fucked them up, for shits and giggles, like she did with the puppies comment the day before, but instead she gave Fjord a warning look and allowed him to roll with it and push the guards to open it. Once inside, they both agreed to looking for traps and, once they noticed it, Jester told Fjord about their experience at the previous house and he rolled with it, immediately checking for mechanisms to disarm it and eventually finding a way they can both fix it together. When they hear a noise (the others coming in), Jester begins to panic but as soon as Fjord tells her to keep going she rolls with it and gets her head in the game. Up in the room again, they both agree to search for traps again. While they are placing the letters, Jester asks Fjord what to do. He suggests the desk but, as soon as she points out other possibilities, he lets her do as she sees fit, trusting her instincts. When Fjord is urging Caleb to leave the scrolls behind, she’s right there reminding them they have to go. When Caleb goes down, they both move in sync. Fjord, knowing and trusting her strength, asks for her help, while she’s already there helping carry him. When she has no healing, he pulls out a potion. When she’s freaking out in the sewers, they agree about how crazy things are, but he calms her down and suggest they go to their room and talk there.

Over and over again, they trust each other’s choices and decisions and —unlike the rest of the Mighty Nein— they don’t get on each other’s way and they don’t put their personal interests above what they are trying to achieve. It might be because of their previous history, but this goes to show how comfortable they are relying on each other, even Fjord who is so secretive but knows that Jester’s kept his ‘other voice’ to herself. 

I just love this dynamic you guys, they work so well together!!!!!!!!