#Lament of a nobody

[tekeruthechaotictrap]

The writing part of my brain on Lament of a Nobody: 😴😴😴

The writing part of my brain on things I don't even want to post:

[idolomantises]

sometimes i forget i'm allowed to be indulgent. i'll make another female character and several lesbians and then think "Gosh i hope people dont mind 🥺" like hello? these are MY ocs, what the fuck am i saying.

[nobodyfamousposts]

What if Chloe had lost her memories of her old life after making the wish in Chloe's Lament? If so, would she remotely be nicer given not being rich means her father has less reason to spoil her? Or would she still be mean anyway even with her memories gone, implying she may just be born evil?

Yes but also no? It's a bit complicated so please let me explain:

If Chloe's Lament didn't happen and Chloe was the Chloe of the reality in question, things would pretty much be the same way they are for her in the Lament. The difference would be how Chloe herself handles it since she's fully aware of her position in this life going in without any memories from an alternate self getting in the way.

Andre is still Andre. He is a pushover and loves his little girl. He WANTS to give her whatever she wants, so it's not that he has less reason to spoil her and more that he simply CAN'T, at least not to the extent she wants. Think to the setup in canon where he was able to buy Chloe a golden bracelet and a diamond-filled phone case, fire Roger when he upset Chloe, arrange the closure of an ice rink to build a gym for her, and shut down Clara's music video on her demand...but ended up in an outright panic when he told Chloe that he couldn't banish Marinette and her family from the city, something he legitimately could not do. Not for lack of wanting to. Just that he can't.

That's pretty much the position he'll be in here. He loves Chloe and he WANTS to give her her every desire, but he's not rich or powerful this go around and he has no weight to throw, no money to spend, no influence to use, and no status or backing to protect himself or Chloe from the repercussions of her antics.

But this ask isn't about him, I know. I'm just trying to give perspective here.

Andre would still spoil her...at least as much as he could. And you have to bear in mind that he is trying to make up Chloe's lack of a present mother while also running a functional and decently well off but not outstanding business. He would deny her things she wants because he can't give her everything she wants.

But the Chloe of this world would know that. And since she never had the wealth and power that Canon Chloe has, she wouldn't expect all the things that Canon Chloe did when waking up in her position.

This is actually what makes the primary difference. I have said before that it is fully possible for the characters who make the Wish to end up happy in their Lament, and while I'm sure many of you doubt me or think I only apply that to Marinette, I meant it for everyone.

See, the main thing that makes this a Lament isn't the position of the Chloe in this world but in how Chloe HANDLES it. Canon Chloe is going to try and handle it like Canon Chloe handles anything, and it's going to fail because her expectations are based in a setup that she cannot understand no longer applies and her go-to methods require resources and protections that she doesn't have here.

THIS Chloe is going to handle it differently. Her expectations are already more down to earth than Canon Chloe to begin with. And by the time the events of the story start, she's going in with the knowledge that she is on thin ice and some change needs to occur if she doesn't want to lose everything she has left.

Chloe by this point is the bastard child of "Style Queen Audrey" and is just as acknowledged by her as she was in canon if not less, so she's still dealing with abandonment issues while trying to endear herself to her mother however limitedly she can. She still has Adrien as a friend but knows that's hanging on by a thread as well (her friendship with him was mostly through Andre's friendship with Emilie and she's gone now, and Gabriel himself is not that impressed with her). She has Bustier's support and is still able to go to the school, but she's on probation with the administration watching her. And her father is working desperately to get her out of consequences for her previous behaviors. So if she messes up again, she's going to lose all of that.

So yes, in that sense, this Chloe is going to be "nicer". She has to be. She is trying to change her behavior in order to avoid a bad situation. To try being "kind" and "helpful" when she's still very much a selfish and angsty teenager who doesn't get why she should. "Nice" and "Good" are two different things, after all. Though that's not to say that she'll be very good at either.

This change in behavior is difficult for her. Change usually is. But practice makes perfect, right? So that's why Chloe starts trying to do things she normally wouldn't. Like helping her father in the bakery. Planning a box of goodies for her classmates to try and make peace for the next school year.

And yes, help out an old man on the street.

However, there's another aspect to consider here.

After all, in this universe, Chloe and Adrien are childhood friends. And Adrien and Marinette are childhood friends, too.

So wouldn't it stand to reason that Chloe and Marinette were also childhood friends as well?

...

...

IF I wrote this setup as its own story sans the Wish and Lament, we'd be dealing with a story of Chloe growing out of a negative mindset, addressing her inner fears that drive her actions, and improving her life and her relationships. All while dealing with the stress and responsibility of being a hero. And just the clash overall of the difference between who she is as Chloe vs who she is as the Ladybug Hero.

As Marinette in Canon pointed out, "Ladybug has made me a better Marinette. So, perhaps being Queen Bee will make her a better Chloé, too!"

That's what happens here.

Chloe KNOWS she's not a good person. She'd even convinced that a mistake was made when she was chosen. But being a hero lets her do good more easily under a mask where no one has preconceived feelings or expectations of her. It would be freeing in a way. And give her the positive reinforcement she needs.

But the biggest issue would be dealing with her toxic mindset and how it led to her situation and strained relationships. Which would be what the course of the story is meant to address. Chloe in this world doesn't understand what "healthy" or "healthy relationships" are anymore than Canon Chloe does. But she's getting a crash course in the matter while also receiving guidance courtesy of Tikki.

Ultimately, this Chloe would have more of a chance than Canon Chloe.

She wouldn't go into this looking to take advantage and cause harm the way that Canon Chloe did.

She would be a selfish teenager learning to be a little less self centered and a little more aware of her impact on others.

[hoofpeet]

I guess the Weedguy population has declined in recent years.... so many memories of hanging around the weedman's house playing with his dog or whatever because we have to stay for at least an hour.... experiences that the next generations will never have

[one-in-a-million-fishsticks]

Leon Belmont would be the Great Uncle Ford to Mathias/Dracula's Grunkle Stan if those two had been given the opportunity to raise their families together at the same time.

-------

Leon: "Now remember kids, we must always follow the rules and strive to create good in the world. Listen to your elders, and wield your weapons with honor."

Mathias/Dracula: "Gather round everyone, today I shall be coaching you on the finer points of tax evasion and offensive alchemy. If you ever hear someone else say something that sounds wrong, then it probably is, so do be sure to correct them. Best case scenario, they're so mad about being corrected that they become sloppy and create an opening for you to strike them down."

[spitblaze]

No no, I don't think sex is bad because it's evil and dangerous, I'm not a puritan. I think sex is bad because its something men like to do, because they're evil and dangerous. Completely different.

[celestialseamysteries]

sometimes you're just listening to your music and then a song comes on and you're struck with a vision. idk what to tell you

[rouxboo]

been thinking a lot about lament of innocence lately

[star-trek-fandom-confessions]

#429

"I think Agnes Jurati is cute as hell and I wish she were my friend!"

[tekeruthechaotictrap]

Lament of a Nobody (chapter 7)

Meeting Sedgewick Sable and Virgil

John had begun work on Horatio's side of the cleaning, yet again taking to it well and doing a decent job for his first time. He approached the bar and froze in his place. He spotted Viktor, which he had expected to see, but also a 2nd figure he hadn't met.

The man had quite a classy outfit, a nice suit and a top hat. But there was also something strange, an air of familiarity hung around him. He took a sip of his drink and noticed the young man staring.

"May I... help you?" He questioned.

"Oh, my apologies" John would reply, shaking his head slightly to clear away his thoughts. "I just didn't expect there to be any customers here anymore."

"Ah, that's understandable. It is around the time this place would be closed. I get special treatment you see, old friend of Mitzi's."

"I see..." John would say beginning to stare again. Wick was, clearly uncomfortable but wouldn't say much else.

"I've seen you somewhere before..." John would mutter.

"Have you?"

"I remember now, I've seen you on newspapers. Sedgewick Sable, right?"

"Yes, that's me." Wick would say.

"I am John Doe, I'm a new employee here."

"I see, nice to meet you."

Wick and John politely shook hands. After which John began cleaning a few spots around the bar.

"I must say," John said to the gentleman, "I didn't expect someone like you around here."

"Yes I know," Wick would say, "An upstanding member of the community, here in a dingy speakeasy-"

"No that's not what I meant," John interjected. "I actually respect you being down here. You know what you like and you go and get it. That sort of behaviour is lost on some."

"Then what did you mean?"

"I meant, with your money you could be at a better speakeasy that isn't struggling to stand on it's own two feet. I understand Mrs May is 'an old friend' as you put it, but is that enough to sacrifice quality?"

"Well Mitzi and I are quite close, I wouldn't miss being here for the world."

"So you're romantically interested in her, got it."

Wick quickly shot John a surprised look. Not expecting to be read so easily.

"I-.... You-....." Wick would look a bit confused and flustered for a minute before clearing his throat and regaining composure. "Should you really be speaking about your place of employment in that way?"

"Well I guess this'll just have to remain between us... and Viktor." John would say. "I'm only kidding of course, I don't sugar-coat the truth. I made that aware to Mrs May when I told her upfront about what I thought of the state of her establishment."

"You did?" Wick asked, "You are... a brave man then. Not many would like Mitzi's reaction to an insult."

"I wouldn't call it an insult. Just an honest analysis. Plus, I don't dislike the current state of things, it's what helped me get this job."

"Is that so?"

Wick checked his watch and finished his drink, handing it over to Viktor for him to clean. Before getting up.

"As interested as I am in this conversation it's about time that I leaved. Pleasure to meet you 'Mr. Doe'."

The emphasis on the 'Mr. Doe' made it clear Wick saw through the alias. Though so many people have, one would think believability wasn't part of the selecting of the fake name.

"Pleasure was mine Mr. Sable." John said, waving to Wick as he left and cleaning where the gentleman once sat.

After another hour John had finished his first shift at the Lackadaisy. Saying goodbye to everyone he walked out the door.

Walking through alleyways trying to remain unseen, he noticed something. A white furred man, with plenty of wounds and scars. Teeth were missing and chipped in his mouth, his clothes ragged and worn. He was sat down leaning against a wall in the way of the alley he was about to go through.

John walked fast past the man, before freezing in place. He stood still for quite a few minutes. Thinking. Then turning around, reaching into his pocket and kneeling down next to the man. Out of his pocket he took out some money, a wad of a few notes, and handed it over to the man.

"Use it to get yourself some food... and maybe some new clothes. Don't you dare use it on whatever your vice is." John sniffed the air. "Based on the stench I'd assume alcohol. I will find out if you use it on anything that isn't needed for survival, and I will be very upset."

The man spoke as John stood back up, his words slurred, "Thank you."

John began walking away again. But freezing again, this time not because he was thinking. But because he heard a voice. A voice he immediately identified as Zib.

"Looks like being a new face at the Lackadaisy isn't the only thing that make you quite rare these days John. Not many people would end up giving Virgil over here money. Let alone a wad as big as the one you just handed over."

"That's all? You noticed me being a decent person?" John asked.

"What I find more interesting, is the sheer amount of money. Given the fact you got a job at the speakeasy and those oversized, clearly hand-me-down clothes, probably from an older brother, I expected you to not have a lot of money." Zib speculated

"The clothes were my grandfather's, and I sense you're trying to make a point so get to it. I'd like to get home soon." John said

"My point is, why did you go get a job at the Lackadaisy if money clearly isn't a motive?"

"Who says there needs to be a motive?"

"Does a mouse ever go into a trap without some cheese to lure it in?"

"What if the trap itself is lure enough?"

The two stood in silence for a while.

"Are you quite done Zib?" John asked.

"Sorry kid, just confused. Why did you choose to work at a rundown speakeasy?"

"I have my reasons and that's all you need to know."

"....fine, go on back home." Zib would say, turning around and going home, just as John did the same.

[nomidreams]

god i finally watched new episodes my honest reaction is jgiwoaoKzmxmkwkakkak

[rotting-brains]

after being on T for 6 months i can confidently say that i cant cry anymore. i can also confidently say that there were tears in my eyes at the end of episode 5 WHAT THE FUCK 💔💔💔 IM RIGHT THERE WITH AXEL

[nobodyfamousposts]

In the Lament series, if Red Queen was desperate and decided to take the risk to trust Chloe with a Miraculous, which Miraculous would it be?

She wouldn't. All of the classmates could be taken down and she still wouldn't trust Chloe even if she was her last option. She would dual wield if she had to.

If Red Queen was really desperate, she would reveal herself to her father and ask for his help. Or go to the Mayor or Tom or Damocles or any other adult over Chloe.

Remember, Sabrina finds out not too long into the new timeline that Chloe was a former Miraculous user and that she chose to help Hawk Moth, betrayed the heroes, took over the city, and ultimately decided to make the Wish to attempt to rewrite reality to suit her wants when even all of that wasn't enough for her. Even now, in the current iteration of Chloe's Lament, Chloe is still more focused on trying to "win" or "regain her rightful place" than actually learn from her mistakes or try to do better.

But let's say that Chloe did. Let's say for the sake of argument that she learned her lesson about how much of a brat she was and decided to change her ways. The thing is, no matter how much "better" Chloe may appear to be, that's not the sort of thing a chooser of heroes can just overlook. Especially where the power of the Miraculous is concerned and the temptation to use that power for one's own ends once they have the chance.

This is especially important given Chloe's initial plan was to misuse the Ladybug Miraculous once she got it. And her later plan to find a different Miraculous so as to steal the others and ultimately regain the Ladybug and Black Cat so she could make another Wish.

Let's also bear in mind that this is a better Paris. With a more competent and helpful Mayor, and more involved citizens. Contingency plans would be put in place. They would set up a multitude of options and resources so that having to offer a Miraculous to someone like Chloe and pray she doesn't use it to betray them wouldn't have to be one.

[arnold-layne]

moodboard for this tuesday

[jennyfromthebes]

In light of the Internet Archive (and by extension the Live Music Archive) still being down for maintenance, would y'all still like me to post a Live Tapes Tuesday? I have a lot of tapes downloaded on my phone and could certainly pick something from one of them, or I also have a number of tapes that are hosted in places other than the LMA collection. Any preference here?

[notedchampagne]

thing my therapist told me today: everything worth getting is worth a little bit of suck