What’s your type? Part Two: The Loyal Steed
The Loyal Steed
The Hero is on the ground losing his faith, and the world grows dark. He can’t go on. Then miraculously, the words of a friend penetrate the darkness and bring the Hero back to his feet, to fight again. That voice in the darkness… That is the Loyal Steed. He is the unwavering friend at the Hero’s back, part sidekick, part apprentice, part cheerleader. He may not be the smartest or most self controlled – the term ‘hot-headed punk’ most often describes him – and his moral fiber is often decidedly lacking, but he’s the one who’s “too stupid to know when to give up” and his inner strength and utter faith rival even the Hero’s. He is in fact at times a Hero in Training. His backstory may be checkered, but he was redeemed by his meeting with the Hero, or maybe on his own cognizance. His inner darkness is a touch high but he now uses it for the greater good. Even when he is selfish or cowardly, the light of the Hero keeps him on the right path. He doesn’t mind playing second string any more than he minds playing the comic relief, and is probably the one who idolizes the Hero the most. The pillar that shores up the beacon of heroism to shine over the world, you can always depend on The Loyal Steed.
Types he commonly overlaps with: The Bad Boy (Jounouchi, Kuwabara) – and not usually any others. There are also Heroes who act like a Steed, except that they are their own Hero, like Inuyasha – if the series is short on characters, the Loyal Steed can be rolled into the Hero or Damsel in Distress (generic female lead) easily enough.
You find him in the trusty sidekick: Jounouchi (Yu-Gi-Oh), Sanosuke (Rurouni Kenshin), Kuwabara (Yuu Yuu Hakusho)…
What he says about you:
You have faith in humanity – not necessarily that people are good, but that people have within them the strength to overcome; that’s probably why he appeals to you, since his defining characteristic is that overwhelming strength. You see in his willingness to avoid the spotlight and support his friends true nobility, and you know that no hero ever succeeds alone. You go for substance over flash. You don’t mind if he is a little simple or a little hot-headed – as long as he has a good heart, you can admire just about anything about him.
His best matches:
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Hero – The strength in this pairing is enough to make your fanfiction explode with an overload of awesome. They have a perfect symbiotic relationship, feeding on each other: the Hero inspires the Steed toward greatness and makes him want to be a better person just by being around him; the Steed has the amazing reserves of character and shores up the Hero at his lowest, when he’s closest to losing hope. Without each other, neither could reach his true potential, and when they’re in their proper orbit, stars align and worlds are saved.
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Antihero – They say that opposites attract, and if that is so, this pairing is inevitable. The Steed is the standard-bearer for the Hero’s side, the greatest believer in whatever he stands for, and the Antihero is… well, the anti-hero, the jaded ‘realist’ with no use for their shiny ideals. In a perfect clash of optimism and cynicism, fire and (usually) ice, they just get under each other’s skin and stay there. This is not a recipe for domestic harmony, but for change, and supplying what the other lacks. They both push (or drag) each other out of their comfort zones – they may not be comfortable, certainly won’t get bored.
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Part One: The Hero
Next, Part Three: The Antihero. Coming soon!
Tags: 'type', yaoi resources