Cross-posted to dear_player

[blessmefather]

Who decided the devil was red? Why red?

[ Some might question why of all people the blind guy is concerned about colors, but it's a legit question. Mun holds back from putting an essay-worth of art history theories here. ]

[ Note: Spoilers will be marked in comment titles. ]

Comments

[reconstructschaos]

I've often seen him depicted as a man, perhaps with bat-like wings, or a serpent... or a goat.

Interestingly, the Devil was depicted black, or even blue, with the Kingdom of God depicted red in older art... he was even portrayed as green.

Red is the favoured depiction in modern times, poetry and theatre had a hand in that, but scripture also provided a basis for that.

[blessmefather]

Even that changes with the times... I didn't know the color switched so many times, but it makes sense with how much everything else in the church does.

[ He nods, taking in the thought, and adjusts his glasses when they slide ever so slightly. ]

It's been too long since I actually read the Bible, I couldn't guess which book that scripture is from.

[ He chuckles to himself. ]

You know a lot more than I do. Are you a historian or...?

[armornomore]

[Alphonse is silent a moment thinking on the question. Just because he's an Alchemist, and loves science more than Faith, he can understand why people would lean into it. His thoughts go to Rose for a moment but he shakes his head.]

Maybe because red is a color that people associate with dangerous things. [The philosopher's stone comes to mind for him] Things that are taboo. It's supposed to warn you away from it, though... some people don't get that message quickly.

[Hey his brother lost his arm and leg and he lost his body, so he knows the dangers of going too far.] At least, that's what makes sense.

[blessmefather]

It makes sense. Color coding would follow color psychology to communicate easily with more people.

[Red like blood. It was probably biologically wired. Matt certainly snapped to attention when he smelled the copper scent blood had in unexpected circumstances, just in case someone was hurt.]

It's a shame for the color red though. It was my favorite when I was a kid.

[ The color his dad always wore out in the boxing ring. ]

[armornomore]

It does seem to be a universal standard for danger at least. Some other colors get mixed signals.

[Alphonse is still getting used to the idea of that smell. It's something that he's seen a lot of, but well, armor doesn't have senses.]

It's my brother's favorite, or at least I think so. He's always wearing a red jacket so it was easier to find him. [Though Al notices the past tense] It's not your favorite now? [He's noticed the glasses, but figures he's just hiding his eyes okay? Give him some time he might figure it out.]

[blessmefather]

Oh I still like red- [ He pushes his glasses up his nose. When he tilts his head the right way in the light, it's easy to see the lenses are red colored.] It's kind of my color. But after losing my sight I still get nostalgic for the blue of the sky at times. So I like to say that blue is tied for my favorite now.

Sounds like your brother picked a good color to stand out if it's unusual to wear red where you're from. In New York City it's a true mix of fashions, but something bright would probably work.

[armornomore]

[Alphonse grins seeing the lenses] Those are cool. [They kind of remind him of Scar's glasses, but he won't say that.] Oh, I didn't even realize... But... I can understand that. For a while I lost the ability to feel, I still get overloaded by just all the senses at once. [He frowns a moment.] Though I do have a lot of people looking out for me when that happens so they can help me get somewhere I can calm down.

New York? Is that the city you're from? Resembool, the place I'm from is a small village. Largest place I've been is Central, which has a huge train station and it's where most of my brother's friends are out of. I'm just glad that there's a garden around the library so it's quieter.