Twisted Power: Cara / Darken Rahl, a shipper manifesto (original) (raw)

meredith44 @ 06:48 pm: Twisted Power: Cara / Darken Rahl, a shipper manifesto
So, we had to write a shipper manifesto for legendland. I chose to do Cara/Rahl. It isn't exactly the greatest, but I still love the couple, twisted as they are. :)

Cara and Darken Rahl made a great couple. It’s not that I think they are soul mates with everlasting true love or anything, but they go well together. I think they’d be hot in a relationship, and they had/have (depending on how circumstances play out) the potential to work really well as a dynamic power couple.

First is the sexual chemistry. They are hot, together and separately...

And granted, Cara pretty much has chemistry with every (of age) person ever, and Rahl is very charismatic as well. But put the two of them together and the chemistry is explosive. Just look at the scene when Cara is introduced. When Rahl puts his finger to her lips. So much chemistry is present there that it practically comes off in waves.

Second is the power. Seriously, they are each insanely powerful, then put them together… Cara might have been officially serving her Lord Rahl, but I would guess that she was capable of holding her own and balancing the power dynamic. She showed it when she was willing to go her own way in Reckoning, despite what Rahl had told her to do. I would guess that most of her service involved her finding ways to manipulate Rahl and the situation to her advantage. I believe that Rahl enjoyed the challenge. Ultimately he knew that he was the one in charge, but having someone stand up to him probably intrigued him, especially knowing that she would lay down her life for him, whatever she might say or do. (Well, at least he thought so?) I can’t imagine that Rahl would have gone to such lengths to get her back in Eternity if he didn’t appreciate her spirit and what she could bring to the relationship. He also seems the type to appreciate a challenge. At least a winnable challenge. And he did win. at least for a time. And he certainly enjoyed the spoils...

Last is the compatibility. They are very similar in a lot of respects. Both of them have chosen to shut off most of their emotions and both are damaged in a way. We know that Cara welcomes pain, uses it as a way to center herself and make herself feel alive. I believe that Rahl does something similar. He doesn’t seem to feel love or much in the way of happiness and joy. Just as Cara, before she broke away from him. I could see him appreciating the use of pain. Not only giving pain (which I’m sure brings him pleasure), but receiving pain as well. He would know that Cara would know his limits but would push him right up to them. And, as I said above, he likes a challenge. He likes proving he is superior. As does Cara. So the push and the pull there, the dynamic, would be very compelling.

For that dynamic, I love the fic Worthy by trobadora. It is PWP, but it just gets the characters so well, as I see it, within that framework.

Some links:
Fic...
The Cara/Darken tag at peoplespalace
The Cara/Darken tag at AO3

Videos (they aren't the best I've seen, technically speaking, but I like the vibe in them)...
Haunted
Bad Romance
Zombie
Pain (A song I adore for Cara. :D )

Enjoy!

Tags: legend of the seeker