I just finished reading volume 5 of the light novels. Near the end of the book, Lawrence and Holo again get into a problem about their relationship, centered on a certain "fear" Holo has. Holo states that she doesn't fear Lawrence dying before her, but I'm not sure if I understood correctly what that fear really was. From what I could tell, she feared that she would get too used to Lawrence and basically the "honeymoon period" would be over, loosing interest in him? She was afraid of routine? A stale relationship as it happens to so many married couples? I'd love to hear what others think her fear really was.
September 19, 2012 - 1:17am
#1
What's Holo's fear about her relationship with Laurence in book 5?
I basically understood it the same way. She was scared of that disillusionment effect that a lot of couples go through, but also a little more than that. I can't say for sure, since I've only read through volume 6--by the way, December needs to get here so I can buy volume 7--but I think there's more to it than just the two of them getting over the honeymoon-period, as you put it. This is a bit of a spoiler for the anime/novel, so...
The answer Eve gives, and that Lawrence agrees with, is "I don't know, but I want to find out." I saw this as the same question Lawrence and Holo are dealing with. They don't really know where they're going, and Holo is afraid of finding out this unknown. Lawrence is for a while too, but then he decides that whatever it is, he'd rather find out by getting there instead of trying to just think it over or waiting for someone to tell him.
Even then, I think there's more to it than what they've revealed so far. In the last few volumes, they've been hinting more and more at Holo's past, and not her homeland. They skirt around the issues a bit, but Lawrence and the novels are bringing up questions about who Holo traveled with before, what she thought/thinks of those people and vice versa, and how intimate she might have been with them. I think that something in those stories will explain what's going on in the one we're all currently reading. Of course, I could be completely wrong, but that just means I want to find out.
The fear that Holo has is a fear of becoming too close to Lawrence. Lawrence feels the same fears as well. They both wish it could happen but they fear the consequences due to Holo's long lifespan, such as Holo having to see Lawrence grow old and die while she stays youthful still. I don't remember Holo saying she doesn't fear watching Lawrence die in her lifetime. Could you give me the page number that this was found on?
Also, the fear of the loneliness they would feel when they depart after Holo returns to Yoitsu. Lets face it, Lawrence would love to stay together forever with Holo, but he still has his merchant profession that he must maintain at some point. This is where they have the idea of making sure to "depart with smiles on their faces" rather than to depart with angst and tears.
This is what I've gathered from reading the novels so far released. Make sure to keep reading! its a really wonderful series that I would recommend to anyone, regardless of whether they like romantic stories or not.
Yes, I definitely think that, at least on Lawrence's side, it's a fear of getting too close. He struggles with it in volume 5/second half of season two with that question. Does he go with Holo, or establish the shop like he's always wanted? Holo, though, had a different concern. To me she gives off the idea of their getting too familiar with each other. Not really a spoiler, but when she's flirting with Lawrence one time in volume 5, she complains/laments that he doesn't get as flustered as he used to.
Basically, I think Lawrence is concerned with whether to get closer or not, and Holo's afraid of what comes with the two of them getting closer. That makes a lot of sense to me, since Lawrence is a ways off from wise and looks at the action itself, not the consequences. Holo, being the proud Wisewolf, is looking beyond the act and thinking about what they'll have to deal with afterwards. It's a theory, anyway.
You pretty much hit it on the head. That's exactly what I read from Volume 5, too.
I'm not too sure if that's exactly it, though. Or rather, I don't think that's all there is. I know it's close to it, but I think Holo is more concerned about what Lawrence is thinking, as opposed to what she herself will think. I'm not sure what page she says she's not afraid that he'll die before her, but I'll look it up.
Quotations aside, I remember that her reasons for ending their journey early usually focus on Lawrence and his thoughts and emotions. I'll have to read volume 5 again to double check. It'll give me a fresher perspective, in any case.