livvyplaysfinalfantasy:

Once again, Vaan proves why he could never be the Occuria’s chosen. This is the first moment that any of the party have seen the Occuria, and Vaan immediately views them as a subjugating, controlling force to be rejected. Vaan’s experiences with the Empire cause him to automatically distrust these higher beings who use their influence to order Ashe around. He has moved past his immense anger at those who conquered his homeland and is now concerned with ensuring that such an event will never take place again. For better or for worse, however, Ashe doesn’t think like Vaan. The Occuria have appealed to her heritage and her strong value of family pride. As Raithwall’s descendant, Ashe believes that it may very well be her duty to do whatever it takes to achieve “peace.”

This moment is also a continuation of one of the most important relationships between female characters that Final Fantasy XII has to offer. Throughout the game, Fran is quick to judge Ashe for her decisions and actions. Fran is one of the only characters with enough gall to flat-out ask Ashe if she plans to take revenge against the Empire, and she does so whenever she feels it is necessary. Ashe usually responds with something akin to a guilty look, but the face she makes here can almost be described as pleading. Ashe cannot look Fran in the eye and tell her that she wants to destroy an entire nation. Fran is often passive-aggressive, but this interaction happens because Fran contributes something to the group dynamic that no one else can. She’s not condescending like Balthier, nor is she a follower like Basch. For one brief moment, Ashe is able to connect to Fran as a person instead of as a queen with something to prove.

This echoes what I wrote in this post and it is important to point out that Vaan is indeed the first to object to the Occuria