Apparently I go for the proper symbols even when I've forgotten what they mean. I just felt like the word Asphodel ought to be there. Now that I look it up, it's present in the Elysian fields in Greek and Roman mythology, so I must've absorbed that.

I love reunions too (And I am mushy for the hurt/comfort trope, especially since I hurt all the damn time. I have always felt like arthritis is a parasite or monster or something making my own body betray me and restricting my movements/activities, so the metaphor of Yu Yevon strikes a chord). One of my challenges in this story has been that I like the trope of rescue from dire circumstances, but I didn't want to reduce Lulu of all people to a damsel in distress. Her dogged determination and insistence on removing all the bonds the moment the spells on them are broken was pushing back against any impression of helplessness.

Several of my artist friends use themselves as models, and I both admire and envy you. I've tried it, but it tends to result in characters being transformed into their Hobbitsonas.