okay here’s a nice explanation:
we don’t always use symbols to denote their literal meaning. i draw a lot of hearts on mail i send to friends, but that doesn’t mean I feel true romantic love for them! hearts, although understood to mean romantic love generally, can also be a symbol of affection and warm feelings.
similarly, throughout Homestuck we have become accustomed to seeing Vriska’s symbol in that manner when she uses her mind-control powers, and Tavros’ symbol in that manner when he uses his powers to commune with animals. they do not literally denote Vriska and Tavros in that panel (and nota bene, there are at least two other trolls using those symbols anyway (Mindfang/Aranea, Summoner/???)); rather, they carry connotations of those powers, which, when combined with the text right below the image, stand to imply that the Condesce has somehow tinkered with weird psyence enough to gain control over those powers herself.
also, I’m dating Andrew and he told me.
haha thank u rachel you are great
She got those powers when Gamzee tossed Vriska and Tavros into the sprite, since I think she has one of the Rings. It fits in with the timeline, and why she didn’t start taking over the world until after Jane’s incident, and it explains why she managed to take over so effortlessly. So yeah, she is literally using their powers.
really: no
Rachel: offers the fanbase interesting and helpful - but non-spoilery - information gleaned from Andrew in attempts to alleviate fandom conflict and confusion
Fandom: argues and contradicts her directly anyway
