#Meet the Hiram Squad everybody!

[imp-writes]

WEDNESDAY WRITING

today's excerpt from: Burning Hiraeth

Weave held back a grin as he walked into the furthest corner of the bar. Here, no one looked at him. Here, his pink and green colors caught no one’s eye more than any of the vomit on the floor. He muttered an order to the bartender.

“Cheeli juice.”

The barmaid quirked an eyebrow, but hurried off to fulfill his request with her tray pressed to her torso. Weave watched her dodge about the other tables with dark, alert eyes. Why was he always the early one?

“Excuse me,” It was a different barmaid. She placed a shot on the table. “The gentleman over there bought this for you.” She nodded awkwardly and started to turn away. Weave looked at the drink and carefully dipped his claw into it, his antennae pitching in the directions of the sounds around him. He chuckled.

“Oi!” He called the maid back. She came back to his table. He pushed back the shot.

“Tell him he could have just said something. Also, that he’s ten minutes late, the bugger. And take that back to him.” He flicked his hand at the shot as the first barmaid brought him a glass of Cheeli juice. The barmaid who brought the shot nodded and took it back. Weave sipped his cheeli juice with a cheerful sigh and then stood up. Finding the table he was looking for, he strode over to the one with a young Avixian man. His hair was brown and his wings matched but faded to pale blue.

“You’re early.” The young man said without turning around. “We said we’d meet half-past.”

“Hmph. Do you have to go flashing your wallet just because you’re visiting home again? Your entrances are far too dramatic.” Weave dropped into the chair next to the Avixian and propped his lizard-like legs up on the table.

“Manners, Weave.”

“As if you’re the one to lecture me on etiquette, Hiram Acci.”

“Ah forget the last name. At least this place is good to us.” Hiram shifted in his seat, a light in his slight, golden eyes. “So…any news?” Weave rolled his eyes.

“Of course not. The Resistance is up to something again but Shalar knows what that is. The Council is still pushing their ‘New Precepts’ rot. I’ve no new intel, but I told you this part of the city is dead of news and couldn’t care less.”

“Was.” Hiram said with a knowing smirk.

“What’s that face all about?” Weave narrowed his large eyes.

“Oh I just happened to learn something by chance,” he replied, toying with his now empty shot. “It’ll make my agonizing days in the Guard more bearable at any rate.”

“Spit.”

“That’s your job.” Hiram teased. Weave rolled his eyes at the wordplay, spat up a semi-liquid glob of goop, and absently began spinning it into a small piece of cloth without even looking at his claws.

“Well, entertained yet? For someone who can buy drinks for ‘strangers’ you’re pretty stingy to hold back my tea.”

“I’m still waiting for the others.” Hiram said. He hadn’t actually expected Weave to start spinning, but that was Weave for you.

Weave gave a long-suffering sigh, dipping his proboscis into his cup for a drink while still spinning, rocking his chair back. His gaze travelled to the people mulling about the bar. The poor barmaid caught in his and Hiram’s banter was on her way back to their table, a shot glass on her tray. Her eyes were glued on keeping the tray upright. And for good reason, since the alcohol within was steadily burning. How? Who knew?

“And that would be Ana.” Hiram said, nodding graciously to the barmaid who brought the drink. Hiram blew out the fire and downed it. “Toasty.” He joked.

“The others will be arriving shortly.” A girl’s voice from behind them said. “And good thing because I’m sick of hearing you two prattle like a couple chapel ladies.”

“Aww, I missed you too, Ana.” Weave flashed his sweetest smile, to which Ana replied with the expected eyeroll. She plopped in a seat at the table with her own pint, crossing her leg so her right sandal rested on her left knee.

“Anyway,” she said in a lower tone, “Hiram, the Immolta Resistance has been making connections with bases further south. For what, it’s your guess. The Council is unaware. But I have heard further talk about a conscription increase.”

“Naturally. They’re scared now. Which is good.”

“Doesn’t that mean your brother will be required to join the military?” Ana asked. Hiram shrugged, twirling the shot glass on the table again.

“He can do what he wants.” He grunted. “He’s my father’s son after all. The only gift ever given to both of us is being able to talk our way out of whatever our impulses get us into.”

“Well you can say that again.” A lad, maybe in his early twenties, joined the group. “But hey, a Captain’s Second in the United Guard? I’d say you’re making it on your own two feet pree-ty well right now. Ladies and gentlemen, Wilko has arrived.” He bowed. “I may be too broke to buy any refills, but I shall do my best in charm and gossip.”

“Oh spare me,” Ana rolled her eyes and tugged him into the seat next to her, waving down a barmaid. “Get him a Rosendi before he flirts with you. He’s too young and naïve to drink.”

“HEY!” Wilko protested. The barmaid couldn’t hide a chuckle as she quickly turned around to fetch the order.

“If you’re here,” Weave pointed to Wilko, “Then where’s…?”

“Gesine is bringing him today.” Wilko responded. “I dunno where they went but she said she needed him.” Weave nodded. Before anyone could say another word, the door of the bar slammed open into the wall it was attached to, causing nearly every head to turn to the only source of sunlight to be seen.

“And that…” Ana said, the only one who didn’t look at the door, “would be Gesine.” A large dog wearing ratted clothes and a feral snarl loomed in the door. She padded in and dropped heavily into the seat next to Weave, her elbows rested heavily on the table and her chin almost touched her scarred, brawny forearms.

“Arconian Abyss.” She growled. The bartender was in earshot and his eyes widened, but walked back behind the bar and started mixing.

“That rough, huh?” Hiram raised an eyebrow. She twitched her head in a non-committal reply. Hiram wondered if she was holding back a wince.

“Where’s Mort?” Wilko asked, the concern on his face easier to read than the large-print propaganda posters all around.

“Here. Under the table.” Gesine said.

“Why?” Weave asked. Gesine shrugged.

“It’s Mort.” She said. Wilko chuckled and dropped his head under the table. After a second he reappeared with a small floating sheet in tow. Two white lights glowed in the black gaps in the sheet. Mort tilted it’s…well…as close to a head as it had and small, ethereal whispers came from it. Wilko tilted his head in turn as the barmaid returned with a shot of black liquid.

“Mort said their mission was successful….but they took too many risks.” Wilko said to the group. Weave began to spin faster.

“Ahh, now we’re getting into it!” He exclaimed, the mischievous spark back in his eye. “Tell us, Gesine, what did you find?” Gesine grabbed the shot and downed it, slamming the glass back on the table.

“War. That’s what we found. The Immolta Resistance is building up an Army with their Southern Allies. Some even say they have new officers to take on more soldiers. The Council is trying to conceal it. But the conscription increase is to counter them. The Buznak and the Dulmoa are running in hordes now. You can’t trust anyone on the street not to slit your throat. Council members are refusing to attend meetings. Afraid to be impersonated or shot. The Guard is supposed to be doubled. It’ll be easy to get in, even for Will.”

“Hey! I may be “just a human” but I have my assets!”

“You do, but they’re mostly looking for dragonborns for officers.” Gesine eyed Weave, who raised all four of his arms.

“Ayo, don’t look at me like that! I’m a Spitner, remember? I make textiles. My abilities aren’t suited for combat.”

“It’s not your ability.” Ana countered. “It’s your family name. Most of the dragonborns are still loyal to the Council. Especially the Dyras.”

“Tch. Don’t remind me.” Weave spat more onto his little spinning project and his claws clicked faster. Wilko closed his eyes and tilted his head again.

“Mort’s saying the Hydras are also searching for prospective members amongst the Guard.” He translated. “Hiram was on their list of candidates.”

“Hmmm….well that’d certainly be interesting….” Hiram said. “If I were a Hydra I’d not only have access to the Vaults…but I might even get orders to have a little fun on my part.”

“Fun?” Anatolia questioned.

“Ah, yes, I was waiting for everyone to show up. I have an interesting tidbit of news that will make our jobs less boring.” Everyone but Gesine and Mort leaned in a bit. Hiram’s lips curled into a cat-like smile.

“The little prodigy Sebastion has joined the Resistance.” Ana looked at him.

“That’s it? Really? Your brother ferried. So what?”

“Who else knows this?” Weave asked. Hiram tapped his nose.

“Weave gets what I mean.” He said. “Imagine…with this information not public yet, just imagine what we could do with it. Imagine my father, doing everything he can to find his little prodigy, his little star, and I’m helping him with all the intelligence the Council has to offer to find my poor kidnapped brother, only to find to his woe that his shining son has become nothing but a loathesome cuzak.”

“But he wasn’t kidnapped,” Wilko pointed out.

“Well that’s what pen and paper are for,” Ana retorted. “A ransom note would be easy to forge.”

“And my family position makes me an easy candidate for a Hydra.” Hiram chuckled. “Oh, this really could be fun.”

“But where does that get the rest of us?” Weave asked.

“Hmm…?” Hiram hummed, “Oh, you mean to complete upheaval of the status quo, vengeance and utter chaos? Far far closer than you think. But it would be even better if Weave joined the Guard as an officer.”

“Oh do tell…” Weave squinted.

“You see…if I have all the intel, and Weave is part of the core of the protection for every Council member…not to mention we have the money to hire a few extra grunts if we wanted…the Dulmoa wouldn’t mind a few extra coins to be privy to our movements I’m sure. The Council would be safer in a pit of serpents.” Hiram chuckled.

“The only problem is none of them are attending meetings anymore.” Gesine said. “They’re too terrified.”

“Oh, that’s only a matter of time. The Resistance will draw them out. Ana, Wilko and Mort could drum up enough public concern for a few showings, I’m sure.”

“Why me?” Ana complained. “Wilko is the propagandist here.”

“Because you can help them spread the posters. Gesine, Weave and I will be busy.”

“What am I doing?” Gesine asked.

“You are going to join the Resistance.” Gesine looked him dead in the eye.

“Come again?”

“You’re going to join the Resistance,” Hiram repeated himself without hesitation. “I need someone to keep an eye on that dear brother of mine…and also get intel and potentially kidnap him if I need it.” Gesine shrugged.

“You picking up the tab?” She asked. Hiram put a hand to his chest.

“You wound me doubting I would!” He said in a hurt tone. The smile on his face didn’t contrast his words. He would, of course.

“You got it.” Was all Gesine replied before ordering another Abyss. Hiram smiled, mostly to himself.

“What’s got you grinning?” Ana asked him after she finished her pint. Hiram shrugged and waved the barmaid.

“A round of refills for all of us please.” He said. He turned back to Anatolia. “I was just thinking, is all.”

“When aren’t you?” Weave asked. “The question is always what.”

“Hmmhmm,” Hiram chuckled again, “I was just thinking of how foolish my father thought I was, abandoning the world he lay at my feet. Now, we might just get all that and more…”

The drinks came and Hiram picked his up and the others followed suit

“C’mon.” He said. “A toast to our future! A toast to our glories! A toast…to everything we shall become.” He downed his shot and the others drank their fill before leaving. The bill wasn’t much aside from three Arconian Abysses. How Gesine could drink that much and not be completely inebriated was still beyond Hiram. He wasn’t a biologist after all.

[miasswier]

miasswier’s ultimate glee ranking: no 61

61: On My Way

Written by: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa  Directed by: Bradley Buecker

Overall Thoughts: Much like “Heart”, this episode is perfect in its emotion. There isn’t that many funny scenes in this one, unlike “Heart”, but I think that works. This is one of the few topic episodes Glee decided to do that I felt actually pulled it off, or at least for the most part. There’s obviously some aspects that bothered me, but for the most part I do enjoy this episode, even if it always makes me bawl like a baby.

What I Like:

Although there is one aspect about it that frustrates me, for the most part I thought the suicide plot was dealt with well. They showed realistic reactions from everybody, be they positive or negative, and managed to end on a hopeful note.

That scene where Karofsky’s father finds him literally rips my heart out of my chest. The man is in the episode for like two seconds, but he does so much in those two seconds it just blows me away.

Emma calling everyone out at the teacher’s meeting at the end by asking if it wasn’t their job to know, whose job was it?

I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I do like that Kurt went to the God Squad meeting in this episode. It didn’t feel as strange to put an atheist character in a Christian space as it did in “Grilled Cheesus”, and I think a big part of that is because this had nothing to do with religion. They were seemingly the only people at the school who cared about what happened, and Kurt needed someone who cared, even if he doesn’t agree with the way that they’re caring.

As much as the things Quinn says frustrate me, I am kind of glad that Glee included them, because that’s life. When these things happen, there are so many people who have no sympathy or compassion. I’m also glad that they had her be in a situation where she was called out on her behaviour by someone who actually knew what Karofsky was going through.

I think “It’s all fun and games, until it’s not” is such a strangely powerful line. Sebastian wasn’t given much to do on this show, and yet somehow he actually got more character development than some of the main characters on that show do. The fact that he then went on to raise money in Karofsky’s name is so big. You can tell that he genuinely felt regret for the way he’d treated Karofsky and everybody else.

I missed Sue and Quinn’s interactions!

All the Hudson-Hummel’s being all freaked out by the horror movie host like oh my god

That gay-ass scene between Quinn and Rachel at the end like damn if that ain’t gay.

Rachel wanting to postpone her wedding because Quinn wasn’t there like again GAY

I do like the scene where they all go around and say the things they want to live to see – especially since we get to see some of them happen within the show!

Again, Rachel’s fathers kill me. My absolute favourite line is “Oh, the blame game! This’ll be fun, bring it Burt!”

Fuck me if I didn’t cry like a goddamn baby when Rachel told Finn that she never wanted to be without him.

That fucking cliffhanger!

What I Don’t Like:

My only frustration with the way the suicide story was dealt with is that it never really touched on the issue of depression. Both Karofsky and Will’s suicide stories came about due to circumstance, and didn’t even consider the deeper ramifications of it. I mean, they even have Puck telling Will “just because you got caught cheating?” which would have been such an easy place to slide in “Yeah, because I was very depressed at this point in my life, and when you’re suffering from depression you never know what can trigger you”. Same with Karofsky – he tells Kurt that he couldn’t even take it for a week when Kurt’s taken it for years. Clearly there is a reason for that. Eventually, in season six, they do end up dealing with depression properly, but it’s just too bad that they didn’t include it in this episode, seeing as suicide is almost always because of depression.

I also don’t appreciate that they basically used Karofsky attempting suicide as a plot device to get Finn and Rachel to get married sooner. At least they give it more attention than they do their topic issues in, say, “Choke” or “Lights Out”, but still. It just sits really wrong with me.

I get that Kurt is Rachel’s best friend or whatever, but he’s also Finn’s brother? I really think he would have been in Finn’s party, not Rachel’s (although I do appreciate that they had Kurt and Blaine in Rachel’s, and not Kurt with the girls and Blaine with the boys)

Why are Rachel’s dads acting like this is the first time they’ve ever heard her sing? Or seen her in a competition? Like, I get that this is the first time the audience has seen them at a competition, but do you really expect me to believe that Hiram and LeRoy Berry have not been at every single one of Rachel’s show choir competitions? Especially considering she sings lead in almost every single one?

Songs:

Cough Syrup: Such a powerful song, and they intercut it really well with Karofsky’s scenes. The only thing that sucks is that because they did this, people who are triggered by the Karofsky scenes can’t watch the video for this.

Stand: I don’t really think this song was necessary to include, but Sebastian sounds good on it anyway.

Glad You Came: I like this one a lot. I love the original and I love the cover.

Fly/I Believe I Can Fly: This is honestly great except for Blaine’s rapping. Boy cannot rap. Sorry not sorry.

What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger): Not the strongest Troubletones number. And seriously, why were all the Troubletones in it? It makes no sense to me. I know I already talked about it in my “Nationals” review, but seriously. WHAT IS THE LOGIC OF THIS.

Here’s to Us: While I don’t mind this as a Rachel solo, I do wish it had been another group number. It gets a little tiring having Rachel sing a solo in basically every single competition set. Also, this is a small thing, but it frustrates me that we know by process of elimination that Kurt and Blaine were standing together on a balcony but we didn’t get to see it.

Final Thoughts: This is a highly emotional episode that holds you on the line until the very last second, and it does so expertly. There are obviously things that could have been improved, but what topic episode does every aspect of the topic justice? As a whole, it’s a very strong episode, and if it weren’t for a couple of things I would probably consider it one of the best episodes Glee ever put out.