The Leveilleur Twins Could Be Identical, After All

RSS News

Syndicated News Service
https://i.redd.it/q1yy7tm9wos31.png

In genetics, everyone has a set of DNA which defines them. Everyone is affected by their genes, and the sex chromosomes are a vital part of this. Basic gender chromosomal science tells us that female is XX, and male is XY. In the womb, all babies start out the same gender, with both sets of genitalia in an immature state. During a specific gestation period, an embryo with the XY gene will signal the mother to release testosterone to that child, and he will develop into a male. The XX will naturally become female. This is basic science.

What if there’s more?

So, I see arguments all the time where the Leveilleur twins from Final Fantasy XIV are criticized for being identical, despite the fact that Alphinaud is a male and Alisaie is a female. But what if they could be?

Let’s dive into the rabbit hole, shall we?

Mutations or abnormal development can happen on any chromosome, but when it happens on sex chromosomes, we see different things happen. Sometimes a person develops opposite-gender traits, despite being a fully functional male or female. Sometimes they can have non-functional parts and be infertile or sterile. Sometimes, even, we can see an androgynous individual. This is where the fun comes in, as this is the trait we shall be looking at.

Sometimes, when a male egg splits into two individual people, one can lose the Y chromosome while the egg was splitting, which makes that embryo default to the X chromosome and become a female. This causes the embryos to be a male-XY and female-XO. Since a female is normally XX, this deformity in the chromosomes would cause complications.

Normally, this would result in Turner Syndrome:
"Turner syndrome is a chromosomal condition that affects development in females. The most common feature of Turner syndrome is short stature, which becomes evident by about age 5. An early loss of ovarian function (ovarian hypofunction or premature ovarian failure) is also very common. … A small percentage of females with Turner syndrome retain normal ovarian function through young adulthood. ~National Institutes of Health"

As can be seen, not all symptoms are present but are extremely common. Short stature would be the only thing present, here, but wouldn’t explain her brother, so it’s unlikely that’s why she’s short. These symptoms don't always happen, and sometimes the female grows somewhat normally without having any idea she was actually a defective male egg.

To explain a scenario for Alphinaud, let’s look at another medical anomaly:
"Klinefelter syndrome (KS), also known as 47,XXY or XXY, is the set of symptoms that result from two or more X chromosomes in males. The primary features are infertility and small testicles. Often, symptoms may be subtle and many people do not realize they are affected. ... Klinefelter syndrome usually occurs randomly. ~Wikipedia explanation > > > … In some cases, the features of the condition are so mild that the condition is not diagnosed until puberty or adulthood, and researchers believe that up to 75 percent of affected men and boys are never diagnosed. … About 10 percent of boys and men with Klinefelter syndrome have autism spectrum disorder. ~National Institutes of Health"

Again, the symptoms associated can be completely absent or just very subtle to the point where they don’t matter at all. The male would go about his life as a relatively normal individual.

Here’s the kicker: The second one would almost negate the symptoms of the first.

If they started as one egg with XXY chromosomes, then split, and Alisaie's sassy little chromosomes left behind the Y chromosome, she would be XXO, and thus have full female characteristics. Alphinaud would be XXY, and common symptoms are features like small muscles and a feminine facial structure. If she had Turner syndrome in some form, Alisaie may remain short (but it wouldn't be as bad with two X chromosomes), and possibly possess more androgynous features than a typical female. The height thing is improbable for an explanation, as it doesn’t explain Alphinaud. Klinefelter syndrome causes males to be taller, but infertile and sometimes having breasts. Since he has neither of these traits, he does not have the obnoxiously low testosterone, thus probably has relatively normal-sized man-parts.

The reason I left the O on there, is a possibility for explaining why neither has the prominent features of these syndromes, but they are identical as well as androgynous. There is a possibility of some of the chromosome remnants being present to alter individuals. Just as we store codes from bacteria and viruses so our body “remembers” them and can fight them off faster and easier, having the extra pieces of gender codes but in a weaker format would alter the twins’ development.

  • ~Alisaie is uncannily tomboyish. That’s not to say it is a definite trait of male chromosome presence, but it’s something to think about. She is shaped closer to a male, but still retains some female features, namely her breasts, even if they are small. Her face can be considered feminine, but is notably androgynous.
  • ~Alphinaud has very small musculature and more feminine facial features, also possessing the androgynous trait he shares with his sister. He is actually a bit anxious and can be awkward, but hides this well due to schooling and his grandfather. His old school mentor is able to make these traits surface so we can see a less stiff upper lip man and know he has fun little flaws that make him adorable to tease about.

The state of the chromosomes would theoretically dampen any negative traits such as mental handicaps and infertility (we don’t know how the twins function on that front; it is assumed they are fully functional, just never mentioned).

I made a point to draw upon the medical literature of the percentile of males with Klinefelter syndrome being on the autism spectrum disorder—specifically because of traits I picked up on with Alphinaud. First, when you see the term autism spectrum disorder, think Einstein and Tesla, not a flapping child who cannot speak; there are different types of autism, one of which is Asperger’s syndrome. This can even have the savant trait; human computers are one kind. To be plain, these people with savant trait are geniuses who often announce the obvious, don’t get social cues, can make advanced equations—including battle strategy, are often adept with artistic ability, can often be overly self-assured, and some may even be overly compassionate, even when it is not deserved. Anyone who knows Alphinaud, will now get the “deer in the headlights” look because he falls into that explanation perfectly. Some with the defunct chromosomes have disorders like ADHD, emotional immaturity, and are impulsive, but commonly have normal intelligence. Now we see Alisaie, and that would fall on her shared genes with her brother, if this were true. In regards to emotional immaturity, I am NOT referring to narcissism !SPOILER! (though...there is ONE point>! in the game where it is mentioned that may have been a trait she used to have; there's a cutscene in Il Mheg with hilarious banter between them)!<. We see this trait in her inability to really have a firm grip on her emotions, and she counters this with her sass. I know enough people with ADHD or variations of it to see a common trait with Alisaie; psychologists often see someone who needs drugs, I see people who have an overabundance of pent-up energy which can be channeled into a specific task. These people often do not give up on their task until it is completed, but are often impatient (gee, sound familiar?). She may not have that disorder, per se, but having the strange development from such a rare split could, in theory, manifest in these ways.

Since this split could also cause identical or near-identical features, and the two disorders causing the two to be more neutral in gender appearance, they may not develop to their respective genders in their fullest. The Leveilleurs are not entirely identical, as their faces actually have some distinguishing features. Their lips are different, as are their eyes (besides the mascara and lipstick… I’m talking about actual shape). Alisaie's face appears rounder, which is a female quality in an average female's physical form, even the body. Males tend to be less defined and square, though Elezen have rather wide hips.



Similar, but not entirely identical!

In reality, the models were, at one point, just a copy of the same model. This is painfully obvious in !SPOILER! the Bahamut line at the end with the disheveled duo…with identical soot stains on their clothes and face, and identical ripped clothing. There were very small differences made to the copied model so as to differentiate them; I am unsure if this was during ARR or HW, because it could be that I got to know them so well that I can see the differences—the beginning was so annoying because I couldn’t tell those snots apart. Their height is not explained, nor is it mentioned if they are going to get taller. But, given that they are 16, even after all the quests that mentioned “moons”, which are months (meaning they should be in their 20s), they shouldn’t be the same height as !SPOILER! the 10 or 12-year-old Elezen in the Fortemps manor who has the voice of a very young boy. The way in which the egg would have split could have affected the gene which controls height, as this is not an impossible factor. The twins, otherwise, sound like fully mature adults.

Thus, they could have some differences, but be identical twins.



Of note: This is not an impossibility, just immensely rare. So, in essence, these two would be an extreme rarity of genetic improbabilities. That, along with their striking and lovable personalities and selfless endeavors, makes them extremely special. They could just look alike, but this was way more fun and took into account that they are androgynous and have specific traits that could be explained with science.



Just remember, this is for fun!

This is not canon and I would thank Yoshida Naoki-sama (吉田 直樹) if he will not throttle me for messing with his twins!

submitted by /u/Puck-Goodfellow
[link] [comments]

Continue reading...
 
Back
Top