Ok a reread of Aerie has lead me to conclude that while the relationship drama/miscommunication parts are irritating, they aren't actually really behaving 'out of character', and also that its not as bad as I remembered? Like I was half dreading rereading this one because of the forementioned miscommunication parts, bc it Is frustrating for characters to not just communicate!! But the characters are as they have been, it's circumstances that increased tension and stress, and made them lash out or snap or not say what they're thinking when it would be easier. Anyway, so I finished the book and I love it and I really wish there was fanfic or short stories set in the world of Joust bc I want to see the future the characters mention, with kiron/aket-ten and other jousters' children, and jousters both women and men, and I just want more stories in their universe ^.^;