#Unfounded Revenge | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

inkmonster21 · 2 months ago

Text

Short n’ Sweet💋

Hugh Jackman x Fem!Sister!Reynolds!Reader

Warnings: SMUT, shitty situations, sadness (IM SORRY)

Part 18

Series Masterlist

You’ve Lost All Your Common Sense

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You briskly zip up your suitcase, the excitement for the upcoming trip bubbling within you. St. Barts was a breathtaking destination, and you knew firsthand that there was always something to do.

You take a quick look around your room, making sure you haven’t forgotten anything. The prospect of the sun, the sand, and the luxurious surroundings await you, and you can’t help but smile in anticipation.

Your phone vibrated with a notification from Hugh, alerting you that he was waiting in the parking garage. Excitement mingled with anticipation as you read his text.

You grab your bags with a smile, eager to kick off your luxurious vacation. Making your way down to the parking garage, you couldn't help but feel a sense of extravagance and privilege washing over you.

You met Hugh with a warm embrace, wrapping your arms around him and pulling him into a soft kiss. There was a sense of comfort and familiarity in his presence, and the brief moment of intimacy made your heart flutter.

Drawing back, you looked up at him with a smile, the excitement of the trip clear in your eyes. "Ready to go?" "Ready as I'll ever be," Hugh replied with a grin. "I've got us a private jet, but we should probably head out now. We don't want to keep the others waiting."

He took your bags from you, effortlessly carrying both of them, and led the way towards the car.

You glanced out the car window, admiring the scenery that passed by. A nagging thought crept into your mind, and you turned to Hugh with a question.

"You don't think this is some sort of revenge attack, do you? Debora doesn't plan to poison me at dinner or steal all my left shoes?" You chuckled as you voiced your concerns, trying to lighten the mood.

Hugh chuckled back, not taking your concern too seriously. "I highly doubt it," he reassured you with a smile. "Debbie can be a handful, but she's not one for revenge. Besides, I'll be there to protect you if anything goes awry."

Hugh's reassuring words worked their magic, and you felt your worries start to dissolve. He was experienced, after all - divorced and co-parenting with his ex-wife. He was used to this dynamic and comfortable around Debora.

You reminded yourself that you had nothing to worry about. Hugh knew Debora well, and he would ensure everything went smoothly.

You entered your room and noticed a basket near the bedside table filled with complimentary products like toiletries and a bottle of wine from Debora. A small smile tugged at the corners of your lips as you appreciated the thoughtful gesture.

"Well, that's nice," you said, appreciating the little touches that made trips like this even more special.

Hugh leaned in from behind you, looking over your shoulder and nodding his head in agreement. "See? She's not going to sabotage you," he reiterated with a smile, confirming your fears were unfounded. You couldn't help but chuckle as you glanced back at him, appreciating his ability to put your mind at ease.

As you considered the possibility that Hugh might be right, a thought struck you - you were probably just searching for something to worry about.

You couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, acknowledging that Hugh's calm reassurance was probably exactly what you needed to ease your nerves.

"They've planned dinner at 8," Hugh confirmed, his hands gently rubbing your shoulders in an attempt to ease any remaining tension. "All together?" he repeated, seeking your agreement on the timing.

You thought for a moment, making sure 8pm was convenient for you. "Yeah, that works for me," you replied, feeling more relaxed than before.

The sun was setting, throwing a warm, golden glow across the ocean. The sparkling blue water stretched out before you, creating a breathtaking view.

You leaned against the glass, taking a moment to appreciate the moment - the beautiful scenery and the promise of a delightful evening ahead.

Hugh leaned against the window on the other side, his gaze following your own as he observed the scenic view outside. "We could walk the beach later tonight," he suggested, breaking the peaceful silence.

Your thoughts shifted from the breathtaking view to the idea of a moonlit beach stroll. "Sounds nice," you replied, a smile forming on your lips at the suggestion.

You smirked and leaned back from the window, turning to face Hugh with a quizzical look as you asked, "And then?"

Hugh chuckled, catching on to your playful tone. He raised an eyebrow, a small grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "And then...?" he replied, feigning innocence.

"I think you know very well what I had in mind,” you smirk at him. He closed the distance between you, his hands gently resting on your waist as he looked down at you with a smirk.

"Let's just say, there's plenty to explore on the beach once it gets dark," he teased, his voice low and suggestive. His hold on your waist tightened ever so slightly as his eyes darted from your lips to meet yours.

After leisurely lounging, attending to some business calls, and finishing up with unpacking, the evening was drawing to a close. Time to head to dinner. The air was filled with a mix of anticipation and excitement for what the evening might bring.

You checked the time, realizing it was nearing dinner time. The others were probably getting ready, and you couldn't help but feel a slight flutter of nerves in your stomach.

You held up two dresses in front of you, each adorned in sophisticated black and navy hues. A small frown formed on your lips as you considered which dress to wear for dinner.

"Black or navy?" you repeated in a contemplative tone, turning to Hugh for advice. Hugh walked over, assessing both dresses with a keen eye. He reached out, gently running his fingers along the fabric of each one. He paused for a moment, eyes locked with yours, before his lips curled up into a sly smile. "Black," he declared decisively.

Hugh's gaze darkened as he watched you change in front of him, a sly smirk playing on your lips. He couldn't help but appreciate the sight, his eyes roving over your figure, admiring the way the fabric hugged your curves.

He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms in an attempt to appear nonchalant, but his eyes never left you.

Hugh's voice cut through the air, his statement laced with amusement. He watched you intently, a knowing smile on his lips.

"You do this on purpose," he said again, his gaze never leaving yours. “Me?” Hugh's smile grew wider as you feigned innocence, playing along with the act. He chuckled, shaking his head slightly in amusement.

"Oh, come on," he said with a hint of playful accusation. "You know exactly what you're doing. Don't even try to act all innocent now."

You slipped your heels on, perfectly adorning your feet, and picked up your bag. With a sly smile, you turned back to Hugh and feigned innocence once more.

"Really?" he teased, unable to hide the humor in his tone. "You don't know what I'm talking about? I find that a little hard to believe."

Your fingers traced the fabric of his shirt, caressing it gently. A coy smile tugged at the corners of your lips, hinting at the playful suggestion that lay underneath. “I guess you’ll just have to explain it to me later tonight.”

Hugh's breath hitched at your touch, his gaze darkening slightly as he leaned closer, a subtle shiver coursing through his body. "Oh, I will," he said, his voice dripping with promise. "I'll make it a very long explanations."

Unable to resist any longer, you reached out and pulled Hugh's hand gently, signaling it was time to leave.

"Come on," you said, your voice holding a hint of eagerness. "We don't want to be late, do we?"

Hugh nodded, a smirk playing on his lips, and allowed you to lead him out of the room, your hands interlocked firmly.

As the two of you walked into the restaurant, your eyes quickly found Ava, Oscar, and Debora. They sat at a large table, already engaged in conversation, laughing together.

Hugh led you over to the table, greeting the group with a smile, "Good evening, everyone."

Debora greeted you both with a warm smile, "Ah, there you are! We were wondering when you'd finally arrive." She gave you a teasing wink, while Ava and Oscar exchanged amused glances.

“Well you know this one and his shirts.” Debora chuckled at your comment, her eyes darting to Hugh's dress shirt, clearly making the connection.

"Oh, indeed," Debora teased, a playful glint in her eyes. She turned her attention back to Hugh, her gaze turning a shade mischievous. "You really do love them, don't you?" Hugh's smirk broadened into a grin at Debora's comment, and he played along, putting on a show.

"What can I say? I do know how to look good in a shirt," he retorted, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He gave you a glance, a subtle wink betraying the truth behind his words.

The conversation between the group flowed effortlessly as everyone settled into their respective seats. Light-hearted banter and laughter filled the air as everyone caught up with each other and discussed the upcoming vacation plans.

Ava and Oscar couldn't help but exchange amused glances every now and then as they watched the banter between Hugh and Debora. It was clear they were enjoying the playful energy that always seemed to accompany the two of them in conversation.

As the playful banter continued, your thoughts couldn't help but drift to the past, the memories of Hugh and Debora's happy times together. It was nice to see them get along, but it was also a little frustrating, watching their smiles and subtle touches as they reminisced on shared memories.

You were pulled out of your thoughts as Debora addressed you, her voice cutting through the chatter around the table. She asked about the upcoming tour for your new album.

A small smile tugged at your lips as memories of the upcoming concerts came to mind. "Yeah, we're planning a tour," you replied, excitement lacing your words. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

Ava chimed in, a giddy look of excitement on her face. "I can't wait for us to go shopping," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Shopping?" Oscar asked, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "For what?"

Ava shrugged, her eyes darting between all of them. "Isn't it obvious?" she replied coyly. "For clothes!" Debora nodded in agreement, a grin on her face at the suggestion. "Absolutely! Tomorrow would be perfect for us to shop."

She turned to Hugh, a playful glint in her eyes. "Right, boys? Leave the fashion to us girls, and you can go do whatever it is you boys do while we go try on clothes?"

Hugh chuckled at Debora's remark, his tone laced with playful annoyance. "Oh, of course," he replied jokingly. "Nothing like old times. You girls go do your fashion thing, and we'll amuse ourselves somehow."

You forced a smile and a laugh, even though the sight of Debora flirting with her ex-husband was like a punch in the gut. Your grip on the wine glass tightened, the smooth liquid swirling inside as you forced down the bitter feelings that welled up inside you every time they shared a look, or a touch.

You had to remain composed, a mask of calm and nonchalance firmly in place. But in your heart, it was torture.

The conversation around the table continued, but you found it difficult to pay full attention, your mind preoccupied with the sight of Debora and Hugh's interactions. Every gesture, every word that seemed just a little too familiar, made your heart pang with a painful, almost familiar feeling.

You took another sip of your wine, pretending to pay attention, hiding the storm brewing within.

You picked at your food, barely even taking a bite, your thoughts still occupied with the dynamic between Debora and Hugh. You found yourself drinking more wine than usual, the liquid providing a temporary distraction from the painful situation.

As the night went on, you found it harder and harder to feign interest in the conversation, your mind constantly wandering back to the sight of those two together.

As the evening progressed, your jealousy intensified. You felt like an outsider, a mere spectator to their intimate reunion. Hugh's laughter, usually so warm and inviting, now felt like a dagger piercing your heart. You caught yourself clenching your napkin, your knuckles turning white from the force of your grip.

"Honey, are you alright?" Hugh's voice snapped you out of your jealous haze. His deep, concerned eyes met yours, and for a moment, you felt a pang of guilt for doubting his loyalty.

"Yes, I'm fine," you managed to reply, forcing a smile. "Just a bit tired."

Debora, leaned forward, her expression softening. "It's been a long day for all of us. Why don't we call it an early night? I'm sure we all could use some time to relax."

You nodded in agreement, grateful for the opportunity to retreat to the privacy of your shared suite. As the group stood up from the table, you felt Hugh's hand on your lower back, his touch sending a shiver down your spine. It was a subtle reassurance, a silent promise that he was all yours.

Back in the suite, the kids quickly retreated to their rooms, eager to unwind after a day of exploring. You found yourself alone with Hugh in the spacious living area, the soft glow of the moon casting shadows across the room. The silence between you was thick with unspoken words, the tension palpable.

"You seemed a little on edge during dinner," Hugh said, his voice low and soothing. "Is everything okay?"

You took a deep breath, your eyes searching his face. "I'm sorry, it's just... seeing you and Debora together like that... it brought up some… insecurities."

Hugh's brow furrowed, his eyes filled with concern. "Insecurities? My love, you know there's nothing between Debora and me. We're just being civil for the kids' sake."

"I know, I know," you said, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over you. "It's just... I can't help but feel jealous. She's so beautiful and successful, and you two have such a history. I can't shake the feeling that… I'm not enough."

Hugh took a step towards you, his strong arms wrapping around your waist. "Oh, my darling, don't ever doubt yourself. You are the only woman I desire. The past is behind us, and I'm grateful for the time we shared, but it's you I want, now and forever."

His words sent a rush of relief through your body, but you needed more than just words to ease your jealous heart. You reached up, your fingers threading through his hair, pulling him closer. "Show me," you whispered, your breath hot against his neck.

Hugh's hands slid down your back, cupping your buttocks, pulling you tightly against him. You could feel his erection pressing against your stomach, a tangible proof of his desire. He kissed you passionately, his tongue exploring your mouth with urgency. You moaned, your hands roaming over his broad shoulders, relishing the feel of his muscular body.

Breaking the kiss, Hugh lifted you effortlessly, carrying you towards the bedroom. His eyes never left yours, burning with a fierce intensity. He laid you down on the bed, his hands gently pushing your thighs apart, exposing your wetness to his hungry gaze.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured, his voice hoarse with desire. "I want to taste you, remind myself that you're mine."

With that, he lowered his head, his lips finding your sensitive clit. He teased it with gentle flicks of his tongue, making you squirm with pleasure. You arched your back, your hands gripping the sheets as he delved deeper, his tongue probing your wet folds. His fingers joined in, sliding inside your pussy, curling and stroking your G-spot.

"Oh, Hugh!" you cried out, your hips thrusting upwards, seeking more of his touch. He chuckled against your sensitive flesh, his breath sending shivers through your body. He sucked your clit into his mouth, his tongue dancing over it, driving you wild with pleasure.

Just as you were about to climax, Hugh pulled away, leaving you teetering on the edge. You whimpered, reaching for him, your body craving release. He smiled, his eyes dark with desire, and climbed onto the bed, positioning himself between your thighs.

"Please, Hugh," you begged, your voice thick with need. "I need you inside me."

He teased you, sliding the tip of his thick cock along your slick folds, but not entering you. "Not yet, my love. I want to make this last."

You whined in frustration, your body on fire. Hugh leaned down, capturing your mouth in a searing kiss, his tongue mimicking the rhythm of his cock against your pussy. You responded eagerly, your hands gripping his shoulders, urging him to take you.

Finally, with a growl of desire, Hugh positioned himself at your entrance and thrust forward, filling you in one smooth motion. You cried out, your body welcoming the invasion, your walls clenching around his thick shaft. He set a slow, torturous pace, withdrawing almost entirely before slamming back into you, hitting all the right spots.

"You feel so fucking good," he grunted, his breath hot against your neck. "So tight, so wet. You're mine, all mine."

His words sent a thrill through your body, silencing any remaining doubts. You matched his rhythm, your hips rising to meet his powerful thrusts. The sound of flesh slapping against flesh filled the room, a primal soundtrack to your passionate encounter.

As Hugh pounded into you, his hands found your breasts, squeezing and kneading them. He pinched your nipples, sending jolts of pleasure through your body, pushing you closer to the edge. You could feel your orgasm building, a tidal wave of sensation ready to crash over you.

"I'm close, Hugh," you panted, your nails digging into his shoulders. "Please, don't stop."

He grunted in response, his pace becoming frenzied. He slammed into you with abandon, his cock seeking the deepest parts of your pussy. You screamed his name as your orgasm hit, your body convulsing around him, milking his shaft. Hugh groaned as his own release began building, and with a final powerful thrust, he emptied his hot cum deep inside you.

The morning arrived sooner than you'd like, sunlight streaming in through the hotel curtains and slowly waking you from your peaceful slumber. You found yourself comfortable in the large bed, your body nestled snugly next to Hugh's.

As the light played across your features, you found yourself unable to resist the temptation to simply stay where you were.

Hugh stirred beside you, feeling the movement of your body against his own. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking a few times as he came back into consciousness.

A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he saw you next to him. "Good morning," he murmured, his voice soft and groggy. You returned his smile, a soft sigh escaping your lips as you shifted a little closer to him. The room was quiet, the only sounds being the occasional distant noise from outside and the sound of the two of you breathing.

"Morning," you replied, your voice just as low and sleep-filled as his. “I should go get ready for my shopping extravaganza with Ava and Deb.”

You spoke, the thought of the impending shopping trip with Ava and Deb filling your mind. The word "shopping extravaganza" had been met with a sigh, indicating your reluctance to get up and get ready.

Hugh shifted in the bed, his arm still stretched out over you. "You don't sound enthusiastic about that," he observed, his voice still raspy with sleep.

You couldn't deny his observation. Getting out of bed and getting dolled up for a day of shopping sounded like a chore right now. But you knew you had to make an effort, especially with the company you'd be in.

"I know, I know," you sighed, your voice betraying your reluctance. "I'm just not a big fan of leaving you all alone in this nice bed, that's all."

Hugh chuckled at your response, knowing full well there was more to your reluctance than just missing his company in bed. He pulled you closer, his hand tracing small circles on your hip.

"You're a clingy one, aren't you?" he teased, his voice still a little rough with sleep.

“I thought you liked it?”

Hugh smirked, his eyes filled with a familiar spark of amusement. "Of course I do," he replied, his hand moving up to brush a strand of hair from your face. "I always like when you're all clingy and attached to me," he added, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

You chuckled softly, the smack on your butt making you giggle despite your sleep-filled state. "You really know how to motivate a girl, don't you?" you teased, rolling out from under his arm and onto the edge of the bed.

Hugh smirked, his eyes watching as you swung your legs over the side. "The devil can wait a little longer," he retorted, his hands going back to the pillow in a pretend act of covering his eyes.

You got out of bed and started getting ready, the morning routine seeming even more tedious than usual due to your reluctance to leave the warmth and comfort of the bed.

Throughout the process, Hugh watched you from the bed, his eyes following your movements with a mixture of interest and amusement.

You emerged from the hotel room to find Debora and Ava waiting, their outfits already looking pristine and perfect. They both smiled at you as you approached, their faces radiating excitement.

Ava excitedly rambled off a list of the various stores she wanted to visit during the shopping trip. Designer names and luxury brands spilled out of her mouth. Debora, on the other hand, remained quiet, her eyes occasionally flicking in your direction.

The excitement in Ava's voice was contagious, and despite your initial reluctance, you found yourself a little pumped for the day out. But every now and then, your eyes would catch a glance from Debora, her gaze a mix of curious and calculating.

You walked along the streets, your steps matching Ava and Debora's as you three made your way from store to store.

As you spoke, your voice filled with gratitude, “Thank you for inviting me.” Debora smiled at you, her expression almost sweet. "Of course," she replied, her voice pleasant though her eyes held a hint of something else.

“I just really want to make this work,” You spoke, your words laced with hopefulness as you tried to convince both yourself and Debora that things would work out.

A flicker of annoyance crossed your face as Debora's smile suddenly turned less sincere. She cut straight to the point, her words blunt and direct.

“You’re already fucking him, honey. You don’t need to try so hard,” she said, her eyes fixated on you.

“I’m not,” You denied her words, a hint of defensiveness in your voice. Your eyes widened as you looked at Debora, trying to make her understand that what she said wasn't true.

Ava looked back and forth between you and Debora, the silence between you two hanging in the air like a thick fog.

“Hey, this would be so cute on you!” You were grateful for the distraction, allowing Ava to pull you away from the tense conversation. You glanced back at Debora, her eyes still fixed on you, before following Ava to the rack of clothes she was eyeing.

“Sorry about her.” You looked at Ava, a sheepish expression on your face. "It's fine," you assured her quietly, trying to brush off the previous tense moment.

Ava looked at you intently, a hint of concern in her eyes as she continued to look at the clothes.

You spoke in a hushed tone, your voice laced with a mixture of worry and uncertainty. "Does she hate me?" you asked, a touch of vulnerability in your words.

Ava looked back at you, her expression sympathetic. "No, she doesn't," she replied, her voice just as low. "But... she's not exactly your biggest fan."

You nodded, a touch of resignation in your gesture. It was obvious from the tension that Debora wasn't exactly happy about the arrangement between you and Hugh. Ava watched you closely, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and pity.

You moved from shop to shop, your arms filled with bags of new clothes, shoes, and accessories. The hours flew by, the three of you moving from one fashionable location to the next. Debora stayed mostly quiet, sometimes chiming in with a snarky comment or a pointed question.

As you paid for a new handbag, Debora's voice suddenly piped up, her tone laced with disapproval. "Is that Hugh's card?" she asked, her eyes flickering to the credit card you were using.

“He told me to use it,” Your statement was simple, but it caught the attention of Debora. Her eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of disbelief in her expression.

"He told you to use it?" she repeated, her tone still disapproving.

“Yes. He did,” Your answer was firm, clearly conveying your certainty in what Hugh had said to you.

Debora's eyes studied you for a moment, her expression still skeptical. "And he's fine with just giving you his card like that?"

You shrugged nonchalantly, putting the credit card back into your wallet as you spoke. Debora's skepticism was clear in her eyes, her jaw clenching slightly. Ava, meanwhile, watched the interaction with a mixture of interest and concern.

As you were about to leave Crumble Cookie, you heard your name called out from behind.

You turned around, a little startled, and saw a friend of yours. The excitement on her face was obvious, her eyes sparkling with a mix of eagerness and joy.

You smiled at your friend, pleased to see her. The others paused, a brief moment of confusion on their faces at the unexpected interruption.

"Hey!" your friend exclaimed, approaching you with a wide smile.

Your friend wrapped her arms around you in a tight hug, the warmth and comfort of her embrace immediately flooding through you.

Ava and Debora watched the scene, their gazes flickering between the two of you.

Ava and Debora both smiled, introductions made. "This is Ava," your friend began, gesturing at Ava as she spoke. "And that's her mom, Debora."

Debora's gaze was appraising, a hint of skepticism in her eyes, but she returned the introduction with a polite nod.

“Hey text me and let’s get dinner!” You agreed, your friend's offer catching your interest.

"Yeah, sure! That sounds great," you replied, your voice filled with a hint of eagerness. "We're quite busy today but I'll be sure to text you later. Dinner would be nice."

As your friend said their goodbyes and left, you and Debora were left standing together as she spoke. "Friend of yours?" she repeated, her voice nonchalant, but her eyes focused on you.

Your response was casual, your tone betraying a hint of nostalgia. "Yeah, we go way back to the Disney days," you confirmed, a nostalgic smile tugged at the corners of your lips.

Your eyes lit up when you saw Hugh and Oscar in the distance. You immediately waved them over, a smile spreading across your face. They both stopped and started walking over. Debora, who was standing next to you, shot a cursory glance their way.

Hugh's embrace around you was warm and tight, his hands wrapping around your waist as he planted a gentle kiss on your cheek. His smile widened as he looked at you, clearly happy to see you. Debora's eyes narrowed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face at the sight of the embrace.

As you all discussed plans for dinner, a question from Debora halted your conversation. Her eyes met yours, her voice holding a hint of knowing.

"Well, I assume you have plans of some sort, right?" she asked, her tone just the slightest bit smug. “No, I’m not going to miss out on a dinner.”

Debora waved her hand dismissively as she spoke, a slight patronising tone in her voice. "Don't be silly," she said, her words dripping with a hint of sarcasm. "You said yourself you haven't seen her in a while. Go eat with your friend."

Hugh's deep voice broke the silence, his question directed at you, his gaze fixed on you. He had overheard your previous conversation and wanted to know more.

"Who'd you see?" he repeated, his eyes studying you intently. You met his gaze, your chest a little tight as his tone held an edge of possessiveness. It was clear that he was curious about your plans for the evening.

"Just an old friend. She said she wanted have dinner," you replied after a moment, your voice steady, “but I’m not going to skip out on our fun.”

“Well, darling, if you want to go have fun with your friend, you can. We’re here long enough.” You couldn't help but smile at Hugh's words, his tone both possessive and understanding. He knew that you would want to spend time with your friend, and he was willing to let you go.

"Are you sure?" you asked, your voice holding a hint of vulnerability. "I don't want to ditch you."

Hugh shook his head, a small smile on his face as he spoke. "I'll just be waiting for you, love," he assured you, his voice soft and loving.

You could see the trust and respect in his eyes, knowing that he was willing to give you the space to spend time with your friend.

You shrugged, a small smile on your lips as you accepted his offer. The thought of him waiting for your return filled you with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

"Okay," you agreed, your voice holding a hint of curiosity, "I'll text her."

With that, you pulled out your phone and sent your friend a quick message, letting her know you would be free for dinner.

You returned to the room, your arms carrying a few bags of shopping, and set them down on the bed.

Hugh, who had been relaxing, looked over to see you approaching. Curiosity gleamed in his eyes as you began to unpack your purchases.

"What did you get?"

You showed him the items you had bought, a mix of clothing, shoes, and accessories that you held up for him to see. There was a hint of excitement in your eyes as you did.

Hugh looked at the items, his eyes scanning over them slowly. "Looks like you had fun."

You shrugged, a hint of frustration in your voice. "It wasn't horrible after I managed to block out Debora's comments," you admitted, your tone holding a hint of annoyance.

Hugh frowned at your words, a concerned look in his eyes. "She said something hurtful? To you?"

You waved your hand, dismissing Debora's snide comments as unimportant. "Just a few snide remarks," you said, your voice casual. Hugh looked at you intently, clearly not satisfied with your response. "What did she say?"

You replied with a huff, a hint of frustration in your voice. "It's a long list."

Hugh's frown deepened at your response. He could tell that Debora's comments had bothered you more than you were admitting.

Hugh's expression hardened at your words, his voice firm. "I'll talk to her." He was clearly serious and determined to address the issue. He knew Debora's comments had been hurtful to you and he wanted to set things right.

"You don't have to put up with it," he insisted, his voice holding a hint of protectiveness. You leaned in and kissed him, your lips meeting his affectionately. "I know," you mumbled against his mouth, "she's just jealous."

You dialed your friend's number, a smile on your lips as you waited for her to answer.

After a few rings, she picked up, "Hey!” “Hey! Where are we meeting?” Your friend's cheerful voice came through the phone, her tone filled with excitement. "We're at that Italian place downtown I told you about."

You smiled, picturing the restaurant in your mind's eye. "That place sounds great," you replied, your tone eager. "I’ll meet you there in twenty." "Perfect! See you there," your friend said, her voice filled with anticipation. "Can't wait to catch up with you."

Hugh looked up as you walked over to him, his gaze roaming over your form as you stood in your heels, dressed for dinner. “You could always tell me not to go.”

He met your eyes, a hint of concern in his expression. "You really want me to do that?" he asked, his voice softer than usual. “No, I’m just saying you could.” Hugh chuckled at your response, his lips forming a soft smile at the way you giggled.

"I could, but I won't," he replied, his tone light-hearted, although his concern was still evident.

“I won’t be long,” You leaned in and kissed Hugh, a final reassurance before leaving.

"I hope not," he murmured against your lips, concern still etched on his face. "Don't be too late." You blew one last kiss as you left, leaving Hugh behind. Hugh stood in the room for a moment, his mind going back to Debora's snide remarks. He knew that he would have a talk with her.

You entered the restaurant and your face lit up as you spotted your friend at a table. The sight of her filled you with excitement and you couldn't help but smile widely.

"Hey!" you exclaimed, walking towards the table. Your friend turned to look at you, a wide grin spreading across her face as she saw you approaching the table. "Hey!" she replied, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "You made it! I've been waiting forever," she teased, a playful smile on her lips.

“Then I’m surprised you saved my seat and didn’t get some handsome waiter to sit down.”

Your friend chuckled at your remark, a small knowing smile on her lips. "Sorry to disappoint, but I thought it would be better to leave the handsome waiters to their jobs," she joked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

You and your friend chatted and caught up on everything, from the latest album and her new movies, to your relationship with Hugh.

"So," you began, as the conversation turned to your relationship, "Hugh is such a great guy. You really hit the jackpot." “Comes with the extra baggage though. His ex wife literally hates me.”

Your friend listened intently as you spoke about Hugh's ex-wife and the animosity she held towards you.

"Oh wow," she said, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Why does she hate you?"

You shrugged, “probably too many reasons. I think she is jealous.” Your friend nodded, her expression understanding. "Jealousy can make people do crazy things," she said, her voice sympathetic. "But what matters is how Hugh feels about you."

Hugh's mind was buzzing while you were having a good time with your friend. He called Debora, summoning her to talk to him in private.

Hugh opened the door for his ex-wife, a firm expression on his face. "We need to talk," he said, his voice flat and serious. Debora followed Hugh inside, her eyes narrowing in response to his firm tone. "About what?" she asked, her voice a mix of annoyance and curiosity.

"Don't play dumb with me," Hugh said, closing the door behind them. "I know you have something to say about my relationship."

Debora's face twisted in disdain, her eyes rolling in frustration.

"She's always running to you," she retorted, her voice laced with annoyance. "It's pathetic." Hugh's jaw clenched as he listened to Debora's words. "Don't talk about her like that," he warned, his voice steady but firm.

Debora sank into the couch, her tone confident as she spoke to Hugh, "Come on, Hugh. You can't possibly tell me you're in this for the long run. You're tired of her. I can see it."

Hugh's eyes narrowed, the comment hitting a nerve. "Watch your words," he said through gritted teeth.

Debora kept pushing, her words carrying a hint of bitterness. "I remember our marriage," she said, her voice laced with pain. "But this, this is just a bid for help. You don't have to go far and hire some bimbo to make me jealous."

Hugh's expression hardened, his patience wearing thin. "Don't act like you know what I'm thinking," he shot back.

Debora's voice lowered, a wistful tone seeping into her words. "Think about our dinner, how nice it was. The family, back together again. You barely noticed she was there.”

Hugh's eyes widened slightly at the words, a pang of guilt in his chest. Memories of their happy moments together flooded his mind.

Debora saw the flicker of emotion in Hugh's eyes, and her expression softened. "You remember, don't you?" she said, her voice filled with a hint of pleading. "We could have that again."

Debora rose from the couch, a hopeful smile on her lips. "I still love you, Hugh," she said, her voice a mix of hopefulness and vulnerability.

Hugh's heart ached at her confession, the weight of her words sinking in. Debora's voice carried a hint of pain as she confessed, "Seeing you with her drives me insane. It makes me realize what we had."

Hugh's mind was torn, conflicting emotions warring within him. Debora moved closer to Hugh, her hand reaching out to grasp his.

He stood there, frozen, his heart torn in two.

Hugh's mind was a chaotic mess of thoughts and emotions. He wanted to pull away, to uphold his commitment to you, but the sight of Debora's hand on his, the memories of their past together, were making it difficult.

Despite the turmoil inside him, Hugh realized that he didn't want Debora. He wanted you.

His hand reached out, gently covering Debora's, but he didn't pull it away.

"Deb," Hugh began, intending to reject her. He was going to list all the reasons that had led to their divorce. But before he could speak, Debora leaned in and planted a kiss on his lips, halting his words.

Hugh froze, his resolve weakening.

In all the whirlwind of Debora's unexpected kiss, Hugh didn't hear the door open quietly, and you walked in on the scene. You froze momentarily, your eyes widening at the unexpected sight.

Hugh's eyes widened in surprise, his heart dropping at the sight of you standing at the door. Debora's head snapped around, her hand still holding onto Hugh's.

"Baby," Hugh breathed, his voice laced with panic.

The moment was broken as you entered the bedroom and closed the door.

Hugh's heart sank, the weight of the situation crashing down upon him. He stood there, frozen, as he heard the sound of the door closing, knowing full well that you had witnessed everything.

Hugh moved swiftly, desperation in his steps, as he rushed to the bedroom door. The click of the lock seemed to echo in his ears, a silent barrier between him and you.

"Baby," he called out, his voice filled with urgency. "Please, let me explain." You heard Hugh's desperate plea, the sound of his voice through the door. Your mind was reeling with the emotional whirlwind.

"Explain what, Hugh?" you asked, your voice laced with anger and hurt, from the other side of the door.

Hugh's heart ached with the hurt and anger in your voice. He pounded his fist against the door, desperation and pleading in his words.

"I can explain everything," he said urgently, his voice filled with urgency. "Just let me in. Let me talk to you."

Your heart ached with the certainty in your mind. You knew there was something suspicious about the situation, and you instinctively sensed that Hugh had not been innocent either.

You remained silent on the other side of the door, your anger and hurt still etched on your face. "No," you replied simply, your voice firm.

Your mind raced with emotions, as you reached for your belongings, a small carryon case in hand. Tears streamed down your cheeks, a mixture of anger, hurt, and despair washing over you.

The reality of the situation was sinking in, and you felt a sense of betrayal and uncertainty settle deep within you.

You emerged from the room with fresh tears on your cheeks, your eyes meeting Hugh's with a glare. Behind Hugh's shoulder, Debora sat on the couch, an expression of satisfaction on her face as she witnessed your pain and Hugh's guilt.

The sight was like salt to your emotional wounds.

Hugh's heart clenched at the sight of you, the pain in your eyes nearly breaking him. He took a step towards you, desperate to explain.

"Baby," he whispered, desperation in his voice. "Please, let me talk."

“You can return all the shit I bought today, you can give the key my apartment to Ryan, and you can lose my fucking number.”

Hugh's heart shattered as he heard your words, the finality in your voice cutting through him like a knife.

"No," he pleaded, a desperate expression on his face. "Wait, let me explain. Please, just listen to me." Hugh's plea was met with a sharp look from you, your anger and hurt evident in your expression. He took a step closer, desperation etched on his face.

"I love you," he said, his voice cracking with emotion. "Please, don't give up on us. Just let me talk to you."

You shook your head, “if you loved me, you would’ve never even let her get that close.” Hugh's heart ached at your words. The truth in them struck him to the core. He knew he had messed up, and he desperately wanted to explain.

"I know," he admitted, his voice quivering with emotion. "I know I messed up. But I swear, I didn't mean for this to happen. Please, just give me a chance to explain."

“Happy now?” Your glare pierced through Debora, a sharp and cold look in your eyes.

Debora sat on the couch, her satisfaction evident on her face. "Oh, very," she replied, a smug grin on her lips.

“Enjoy repairing your marriage.” Your scoff echoed in the room, the sarcasm evident in your voice.

Debora leaned back on the couch, a mocking laugh escaping from her lips. "Oh, I will," she sneered.

Hugh's hand reached out to grab you, his expression filled with desperation. But you wrenched your arm away from his grip, your eyes flashing with anger.

"Don't touch me," you snapped, the words filled with hurt and indignation.

Your anger and hurt boiled within you as you stepped into the uber, determined to keep your tears at bay. The ride felt like an eternity, the silence in the car only fueling the whirlwind of emotions inside you.

As you buckled your seatbelt and sat in the backseat, you couldn't help but think about the scene you had just left behind inside Hugh's home. Debora sneering on the couch, Hugh trying to explain, and the look of betrayal in your eyes.

💋💛💋💛💋💛💋💛💋💛💋💛💋💛💋💛💋

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#hugh jackman series #hugh jackman smut #hugh jackman fanfic #hugh jackman fic #hugh jackman x you #hugh jackman x reader #deadpool and wolverine #wolverine #logan howlett

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david-talks-sw · 2 years ago

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As a quick addendum to this recent post:

Could the Jedi have done more to help Anakin? Sure. There's myriad more things that could've been done. For example, Mace could've sat Anakin down in the Council Chamber and gone "Skywalker, tell me what's really going on."

But it bears mentioning that the above scenario ⬆️ likely wouldn't yield any results. Because, well, Anakin barely ever opens up about his feelings or fears or past trauma.

He doesn't do it with Yoda, when the latter asks for more tangible information so he can tailor his advice.

He barely ever opened up to Ahsoka.

He barely did so with Obi-Wan.

And by Revenge of the Sith, he's even shutting Padmé out.

(Yes, part of it is due to the secrecy surrounding his marriage, but I've already explained my thoughts on why it's an unfounded fear at that point in time, and it's not the only factor behind his silence as he already didn't open up as far back as Phantom Menace, nor is it his only secret)

The only person he does confide in is Palpatine, who:

keeps enabling Anakin's flaws instead of letting him learn to overcome them,

keeps isolating him from everyone else.

And Palpatine's both the most powerful Sith in history and the leader of the free world, so he's always gonna find a way to worm himself into Anakin's life.

As long as Palpatine's in the picture, no matter what the Jedi or Padmé do, he'll be right around the corner, ready to undo it.

So at some point - short of Palpatine tripping into an empty elevator shaft and falling to his death - the only person who could've gotten Anakin out of that mess... was Anakin himself.

Would it have been difficult? Hell yes.

But as Shmi Skywalker (who let go of her attachment), Padmé Amidala (disciplined and principled), Obi-Wan Kenobi (refused to give in to anger upon losing the love of his life), Ezra Bridger (rejected the Emperor's promise of power and reunification with his loved ones), Luke Skywalker and Quinlan Vos (pulled back from the Dark Side against all odds) have shown us... it wouldn't have been impossible.

"All of my movies are about one thing, which is the fact that the only prison you’re in is the prison of your mind. And if you decide to open the door and get out, you can. There’s nothing stopping you." - George Lucas, SirusXM, American Voices, 2012

#anakin skywalker #the story is about personal responsibility #if the jedi are to blame for Anakin's downfall then that conflicts with the film's major themes #meta #star wars #sheev palpatine

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weirdsht · 7 months ago

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Platitude (Cliché pt. 2) - LoTCF & Venion Stan! Reader

notes: I didn't plan on making a pt. 2 but the idea has been haunting me even in my sleep. If you haven't read pt. 1 I recommend you do. Most of the context in this fic will be seen there.

tags: Reader will be referred to as Venion, Raon focused, mention of torture, mention of vomit, hints of eating disorder, angst (not really I think), hurt/comfort(?), hopeful ending

English isn’t my first language so there will be grammatical errors

Pls don't repost my work anywhere without my permission

Constructive criticisms and any kind of interaction are more than welcome

Requests are currently closed but my ask are still open (read navi)

Buy Me Dessert

Navigation Masterlist Cliché (pt. 1)

He is great and mighty.

The dragon believes– knows that he is great and mighty.

He has known it since his he hatched from his egg. Knows that his kind is the greatest existence to ever grace this world.

Despite all those things, he can’t show just how great and mighty he is.

And it’s all because of these stupid chains that shackle him down. Chains that restrict his movement. Chokers that rendered him unable to speak and use magic.

It doesn’t make him any less great though. He’ll be even more great and mighty once he can use magic but he is plenty great and mighty now.

That’s what he tells himself every day. What he tells to comfort himself as this atrocious noble named Venion Stan tortures him. What gets him by day by day without giving up. Without succumbing to the pain.

Words that he whispers to himself might be words of comfort, but it is not unfounded. Even at merely 3 years old. Even without magic. He is still a majestic existence.

For he still has his wits.

Hence why he noticed that Venion Stan is unwilling in the things he does. At first, the black dragon thought someone else was ordering him and he had no choice but to follow. Perhaps someone like the Marquiss, his father.

“Sto– ugh!”

“Did you say anything, young master?”

“No. Something just got stuck in my throat.”

That was the moment the dragon decided to look at it from a different perspective.

He was sure Venion Stan was about to say “stop”, but was unable to because an unknown force was physically stopping him.

After that day he decided to observe the noble’s actions.

Slowly but surely he connected the dots. Saw the signs of unwillingness in his eyes. Noticed how he would deliberately twist his words to sound evil because something would stop him if he didn’t. Felt the way Venion would secretly care for him.

Witnessed how his eyes died a little more every visit.

The baby dragon is the one being tortured. However, he can’t help but feel pity for his torturer. Venion Stan’s mental anguish is deep. So deep that those green eyes of his almost look black from how soulless they are.

Both of them are unwilling victims in this situation.

Once the dragon realised this fact, his heart could let go of some of his hate a little. It’s not fully gone. It can never be fully gone until he gets his revenge. Because how dare lowly humans capture and torture someone great and mighty like him?

However…

He is not irrational. He knows how to give credit where it is due.

And in this situation that credit mostly belongs to whoever is controlling Venion Stan’s body. That and he once overheard that a secret organization is responsible for capturing him.

The black dragon believes that they must be the ones to pay the price of his wrath.

Which was why he has decided to look kindly upon Venion.

Over the course of the year, they have spent together, the cell the black dragon lives in has become more comfortable. Pillows and other soft objects are placed everywhere. Warm lighting replaced the white, cold ones. His chains are not as heavy and even have soft fur in them. Sometimes, he can even eat delicious and filling meals.

His living conditions are great. Well, great for a prisoner at least.

The same thing can’t be said for his torturer.

Venion Stan looks like he's the one being tortured. And honestly, the dragon also thinks so. He has gotten skinnier. The bags under his eyes have gotten deeper, as well as the despair in his eyes.

His not even eating anymore. At first, the black dragon thought that it was just an excuse to give him the food.

“Young master, I’m sorry to interfere but you did not eat dinner. You also barely ate during breakfast. This lowly servant of yours urges you to eat more.”

Oh…

It wasn’t just an excuse to give him the food.

The black dragon had at least hope that Venion Stan was eating his fill. He needed it, with all the vomiting he does. It’s bad for him to not eat anything…

Bleurgh!

Speaking of vomiting. Another thing the dragon had noticed was how there seemed to be blood in his vomit nowadays. He hypothesises that it has something to do with the young noble pushing the unknown restrictions to make him more comfortable.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

“Young master! Are you okay!? I’ll go call for a healer!“

“No need. This is just from the heat outside.”

The black dragon observes as blood drips down from Venion’s nose. It happened almost immediately after he ordered his men to lessen their business in the back alleys.

Blood must be the payment whenever a restriction is violated. However, Venion Stan doesn’t seem to be aware of it. It looks like he truly thinks it’s just from the heat.

Luckily it doesn’t happen again.

The blood in his vomit was still there, but he didn’t have a nosebleed after that incident.

Not that the dragon cares of course. He just thinks that it will be a pity if Venion drops dead before he can get his revenge.

Venion Stan must stay alive until he can get his revenge.

“I promise after tonight everything will get better…”

The fool whispered in his ear one random night. He was merely resting his eyes but Venion must’ve thought he was asleep and begun whispering a bunch of nonsense in his ear.

But he lets it be.

He doesn’t know why, but his instincts are telling him to pretend to sleep and see what Venion will do.

It was silent for a few moments, but then he suddenly felt a soft hand stroking his head. The hand was skinny. Boney even. It wasn’t the ideal head pat. Nonetheless, the black dragon felt an odd sense of comfort as Venion stroked his head.

Plop

He felt two lone tears wet his horns. Tears that are full of suffering. The tears of someone who is carrying a different shackles than what the dragon does.

After that, like a dream, Venion Stan goes out of the cave.

When he opened his eyes again he could see servants removing the decorations that adored his cell. Turning it back to how it used to be; cold and uncomfortable.

For a moment the dragon thought Venion Stan was abandoning him.

The thought alone makes him feel a sense of dread. But he doesn’t know why. For surely, it can’t be because he has learned how to care for that cold-hearted bastard.

‘But he isn’t really cold-hearted…’

He pushes his thoughts away as this mysterious red-haired man carries him out of the cave. Showed him what the night sky looked like for the first time.

The mysterious man sets him free. He doesn’t try to keep him. Tells him to live his lie how he wants to.

And that’s exactly what he does.

He felt a sense of attachment to the man named Cale. So he follows him around. Hunts food for them to eat.

But that’s not the only thing he has been doing.

One night, for just one night a few days after his escape. He doesn’t follow Cale Henituse.

Instead, he follows Venion Stan.

It was easy to track him down. Both men are going to the capital after all. It merely took minutes for the toddler to find out where he was.

Honestly, he has no good reason why he would visit his torturer. Maybe it was curiosity. Maybe it was to ensure he didn’t drop dead before he got his revenge.

Nonetheless, the dragon visits Venion to see the terrible state he is in.

Terrible doesn’t justify the state Venion is in.

As the black dragon peeks at the windows he can see the blonde sitting straight in his bed. With nothing but a singular candle to accompany him in his large, and lavish room.

Venison Stan looks horrific. There’s nothing behind his green eyes. No emotions whatsoever. His eyes were green but they looked like black holes.

He looks like those creepy things On has told stories about. The ones possessed by ghosts and don’t know who they are anymore.

Yeah, that was it.

Venison Stan looked like someone who has lost his sense of self.

He looks like a puppet waiting desperately for his strings to be cut off.

“One more year… Just one more year and everything will end… I have laid out everything. Have done everything I could.”

Venison Stan started muttering to himself.

“But why? Why must I suffer like this? Was I that bad in my past life?”

His voice was emotionless, yet the dragon could hear his despair loud and clear.

“I think I lived decently… I did, right? Maybe I thought it wrong? Maybe I was atrocious… Maybe I deserve this. Maybe I’m meant to not be able to have free will. Maybe the gods thought that giving me free will is a bad idea…”

Venion did not spill a single tear. But the dragon could tell he was weeping.

Unable to hear anymore, he flew back to where Cale and the others were.

That night he feels his heart become as heavy as the choker that used to chain him down.

“...It’s okay. I said it’s okay”

The black dragon mumbled to himself as Venion Stan walks by.

He may feel a sense of kinship with the noble but it does not erase the trauma he has experienced. Even if he knows it was traumatizing for Venion too.

But just like he couldn’t stop his shaking limbs when Venion approached them with that vicious look he had. He also can’t stop himself from checking how the blonde is doing.

‘He still eats so little… His dizzy, he grits his teeth like that whenever he feels dizzy from not eating enough.’

The emotions other people had mistaken for anger... only the black dragon could decipher what they truly mean.

Maybe time really brings a sense of familiarity.

But he keeps his mouth shut. Doesn’t tell anyone, not even Cale, of Venion’s real state.

Because he doesn’t care. He shouldn’t care.

He doesn’t care but he still checked on Venion during the terrorist attack. Makes sure that he is alive and in one piece.

He doesn’t care but still thinks about him every night. Thinks about those mutterings he heard that night.

He doesn’t care but he hopes and prays that Venion has not dropped dead yet. Hopes that his eating as well as Raon is doing.

He doesn’t care, it’s all just part of his revenge. He must get the perfect revenge.

But the sweet, young dragon could only lie to himself for so long.

“Human…”

Raon spoke the night before they were supposed to kidnap Venion Stan.

“There’s something I haven’t told you about that bastard.”

Cale opens his ears as Raon spills everything. Listens to every word coming out of the toddler's mouth.

And after all that Cale asks him.

“What do you want to do now?”

If he doesn’t want to proceed Cale wont force him. That’s what he likes the most about his human. Cale respects every decision he makes. Attentively listens to everything he has to say.

“I still want to kidnap him. But… I don’t want to torture him. He has already been tortured enough.”

Raon buries his head on Cale’s chest. He stops his tears from flowing.

“Human, his still suffering. Even after my chains got removed, his shackles remained.”

“Okay, we’ll do what you want.”

Cale doesn’t fully comprehend what he means but he respects his decisions. Raon knows that Cale doesn’t understand.

“You’ll understand what I mean once you see his eyes.”

That was the only thing he said to his human. He wanted Venion’s gaze to tell the rest of the tale.

Venison Stan did not disappoint.

He delivered exactly what Raon wanted to show everyone.

Showed everyone just how much melancholy his eyes held.

In fact, there’s so much anguish hidden behind those eyes of his that even Raon was shocked.

If Raon thought Venion’s state was terrible a year ago, he has no words to describe him now.

The man looks dead. No, he looks like his desperately waiting for death.

And it brings a sick feeling to Raon’s stomach.

“Do you have any questions left for him?”

Cale asks after the blonde man faints from coughing blood. He says no, his curiosity has been quenched. The answers he provided and the clear repercussions of his restriction satisfied Raon.

“Human ask him for Venion’s servant! The granny that wears her hair in a bun! She knows just how little that punk eats!”

“Tell him about how he can’t control his words and actions! Tell him about how doesn’t want to do most of the things his doing!”

“Human what sentence did Venion Stan get? Is he okay? You told them to not send him to prison right? You told them he didn’t have a choice right?”

“Human, are you busy? Can you call Taylor and ask him how Venion is doing?”

“Are we going anywhere this week? If not can we go visit the Stan territory?”

“Maybe if I bring him apple pies he’ll eat more?”

Raon doesn’t even know what his doing. He doesn’t realise just how much he is looking after his supposed torturer.

However, no one calls him out on it. They just indulge the child and let him do whatever he wants.

“Venion is inside that room young master. You can try to speak to him but it’s unlikely that he’ll respond… Are you sure you want to go in alone?”

Taylor Stan asks one more time and Cale just nodded in affirmation.

“If you need any assistance a servant will be waiting here.”

With that Taylor leaves leaving Cale to enter Venion’s room alone. Well, he and Raon but Taylor doesn’t know about the dragon’s existence.

“He also looked like this when I visited him that one night.”

As soon as the door closed, Raon turned off his invisibility and flew over to the bed where Venion was sitting up.

“But that time he looked more alive. He looked like he was looking forward to something. Turns out he was looking forward to his death but that it was still a better look than what he has right now.”

Cale clicks his tongue but Raon ignores him. Instead, he directed his words to Venion.

“That night, before the human got me out of that cave. I’m sure you remember it. Did you know that I heard what you told me that night?”

Raon feels like Venion is listening to him.

“You told me that after that night everything will get better. And it did, after that night everything did get better for me.”

The toddler placed his paw on top of Venion’s still hand.

“But what about you? Why did nothing get better for you after that night? Even now you’re still being tortured. You’re shackles are still holding you down even after you broke mine.”

Raon raised his shaking paws to hug the man. From the side, Cale merely observes, ready to step in when needed.

“Consider this as payment for patting my head that night.”

The black dragon feels a lone tear grace his head. He doesn’t say anything about it. He didn’t even raise his head to look at Venion.

They stayed like that for at least 2 minutes. At some point, Venion’s arms had also embraced Raon. His hold was weak and lifeless. Like when you force a teddy bear to encircle his arms around you.

But it’s the best he can do right now, and Raon will take it.

“We have to go, but before we go I’ll leave you one of my apple pies.”

Raon places a lone apple pie on the nightstand.

“Beacrox made it! He makes delicious food! Maybe if you eat something that tastes good you’ll eat more! Next visit I’ll try to save some of the Crown Prince’s cookies for you to try!”

With that, Raon waved his hand goodbye after promising to visit again.

A few days after that meeting, Cale receives an update from Taylor Stan saying that his brother is eating a bit more now. He excitedly tells Cale how he's been eating the desserts Raon sends.

Cale smiles at the thought of Raon’s happy face once he hears how Venion Stan is slowly recovering.

And indeed Raon was elated at the news. He immediately urges Cale to go visit Venion again.

He may not be fond of the guy, but Cale smiles a little as his kid frantically packs a bunch of things to bring to the Stan territory.

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firstkanaphans · 1 month ago

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what are your takes on the wrong judgement of kant's character by most ppl?

By “wrong judgment,” I’m assuming you mean people saying that Kant is faking his love for Bison and/or working with the police for fun rather than because his brother’s life has been threatened. I’m not really sure I have a “take” on it except that those people very clearly aren’t watching the show because those issues have been addressed overtly in the script several times. Some people even admit they’re skipping KantBison scenes and yet still have the audacity to get mad when they don’t understand stuff.

I will say, however, that Jojo isn’t doing himself any favors and I think a lot of the discontent with Kant’s character is due to poor writing. Some people are never going to like morally gray characters at baseline—in which case they probably shouldn’t be watching shows about assassins—but characterization is also something Jojo has always struggled with. His tolerance for messy characters is superhuman and he expects everyone else to have the same tolerance as him, which is unreasonable. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen Friendzone, but it’s just 2 straight seasons of the worst people you’ve ever met fighting with each other and it is not a good time. Only Friends was slightly better and I think THK is actually his best offering yet as far as characterization goes.

My favorite book on writing is called “Save the Cat” by Blake Snyder and it posits that the most important rule of writing is that your main character has to be likeable. They don’t have to be good, but the audience has to like them. All of these issues with Kant’s characterization could have been fixed by simply adding an extra scene or two to flesh out Kant and Babe’s relationship so that you can actually see the reality of the decision he’s struggling with.

This is possibly the meanest thing I’ve ever said on this site and I feel horrible for it, but my guess is that they tried to do that and just weren’t able to salvage the takes because Babe’s actor is…learning. I think that’s probably why they brought in a second actor to play his “friend” in the scene at the school rather than just using Babe himself because I get the feeling they’re rushing that poor boy out of scenes as quickly as possible. But even what they do show of Kant and Babe’s relationship isn’t helping Kant’s case. Bison interacts with Babe more than Kant does. Bison is the one that points out his bruises. Bison is the one who asks about his interests.

All of this to say that although I think a lot of the criticism against Kant is unfounded, I also think this is a problem that easily could have been fixed with just a few tweaks. I also think that people are fickle and we’ll likely see them come back around to Kant during the second half of the season. The audience is essentially mimicking Bison’s emotions, so this week they’ll get their revenge and then the healing can begin. Anyone still being willfully obtuse after Kant and Bison themselves work out their issues is likely not watching the show in good faith and therefore their opinions don’t matter.

#asks

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reunionatdawn · 3 months ago

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My Analysis of Felix's Relationship With Dimitri

Dimitri: A beast craving blood, am I? I assume you're speaking of the events two years ago. Last time we met outside the academy? Felix: I am. The way you suppressed that rebellion… It was ruthless slaughter and you loved every second. I remember the way you killed your victims. How you watched them suffer. And your face…that expression. All the world's evil packed into it. That was our first battle. I remember it vividly.

In Greek mythology, Ares was the god of war. He specifically represented the physical and destructive nature of war, embodying the bloodshed and rage that come with it. His sacred animals include the vulture, the dog, and (whaddaya know) the boar. Athena, on the other hand, represented the more intellectual and disciplined side of war. Her warfare was guided by strategy, planning, and intelligence, emphasizing the importance of foresight and wisdom in conflict.

Despite their shared domain of warfare, Ares and Athena are often depicted as rivals. Their differing approaches to warfare and conflicting personalities led to tension between them. Athena was connected to peace, as she sought to resolve conflicts through wisdom and negotiation rather than brute force. She was often portrayed as a protector and a planner, who preferred to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. If Boar!Dimitri was meant to be symbolically aligned with Ares, then Felix was almost certainly meant to be aligned with Athena, who was the wielder of the Aegis Shield.

(Japanese Translation) Felix: If you were ordered to commit needless slaughter? Dedue: I would kill. Felix: Even if the target were defenseless children or elderly people… even if they were once your fellow countrymen?

Felix also refers to Dedue in a dehumanizing way. "Dog" was a dig at his blind obedience. In English Felix asked if Dedue would attack his own comrades. That could mean anyone. The other kids from Garreg Mach or maybe Church soldiers. But in Japanese, it was clearer that he was actually referring to the Duscur people. It implied that Felix was revolted with Faerghus's genocide and did not condone it.

Felix didn't know anything about the relationship between Dimitri and Dedue. But considering his misunderstanding, it explained why he was so disgusted with Dedue initially. And it showed his fear of becoming a knight. He was afraid that he'd be used as Dimitri's attack dog, sent out to kill whoever he wanted revenge against, possibly innocent Duscur people. And since he was king, he'd have no choice but to obey. And I don't think his fear was irrational or unfounded. Felix would have been an outlier for not supporting the genocide.

AM's story was, in many ways, a critique of patriarchal societies and values. Patriarchal societies often glorify aggression and dominance as masculine ideals. The "King of Liberation" Nemesis was named after the Greek goddess of divine retribution. Overall, Nemesis embodied the concept of "righteous anger" in Greek mythology, ensuring that mortals, especially those who defied the natural order or ethical standards, faced consequences for their actions. And Nemesis was the true "goddess" of Faerghus, not Sothis.

Dimitri: The first time I led on the battlefield, I was sent to quell a rebellion in the west. It was not a difficult fight. The enemy was not well-trained and their morale was low. A swing of the lance, and your opponent falls. A flash of your blade, and a path opens up. That's the sort of battle it was. Easy…right?

The storyline of 3H was also a criticism of feudalism. Peasants and serfs had very limited personal freedoms and were often subject to the will of their lords. In feudal times, there were instances where peasants took up arms in various uprisings and rebellions due to coercion or threats from local lords. Unlike knights, peasants typically lacked formal training and proper equipment for warfare.

(Japanese Translation) Dimitri: But at that moment, I realized that those we had deemed as enemies and cut down without hesitation…are human beings, living just like us. Of course, we can't just let those who commit reckless acts of violence run rampant, but…We are imposing our own sense of justice, and in doing so, we are taking away someone's family or comrades. Even though I've come to terms with it, there are still times when my legs tremble at the gravity of my actions... Byleth: That's what it means to be a normal human being.

It was heavily implied that most of the soldiers Dimitri and Felix fought during the rebellion were mere peasants acting at the behest of their lord and had little agency in the overall conflict over the throne. Because of this, I could understand why Felix saw Dimitri's unnecessary brutality during that battle as evil. And Felix was not portrayed as wrong for his criticisms, either. Dimitri himself admitted that he had crossed a moral boundary and violated his own ideals.

Dimitri: If we could just accept each other and make mutual concessions, one step at a time… Perhaps… Who knows if that's even possible. Everyone has something that is unacceptable within them. I certainly do, and I'd wager you do as well. I wonder which is best, Professor… To cut away that which is unacceptable, or to find a way to accept it anyway…

Dimitri's actions were unacceptable. And Felix had to decide whether to cut away the unacceptable or find a way to accept it anyway. And that conflict of cutting off vs. acceptance extended to his relationship with his father, his other friends, and even himself as well.

Dimitri: Well now! He never said any of that to me. Ingrid: Well, he was Felix's brother. That family's not big on displays of affection. Dimitri: That is true. We spent about as much time arguing as we did training.

In Japanese, Ingrid said that Glenn wasn't "素直" (sunao). It describes someone who is honest, genuine, and open with one's feelings, which was how Ingrid meant it. And it also has connotations of the person having an obedient disposition. "Sunao" implies someone who avoids being overly assertive or aggressive and behaves in a soft or gentle manner. Dimitri added that Glenn was not "sunao" in that sense, either, as he was always picking fights with him.

Sylvain: I remember it more like you always following me around. Whenever there was something wrong—like you lost to your brother or you fought with Dimitri— you'd come crying to me. You were so meek and pure back then, cute even… like a baby brother.

Felix had the exact opposite personality of his brother. Sylvain said that Felix was "sunao". He also described how clingy Felix acted towards him as a child. And the Japanese word usually carries a negative connotation. It suggests that the level of attachment or dependence is seen as excessive or problematic, leading to discomfort or frustration for the person on the receiving end. And while Sylvain didn't seem to feel that way, I think Dimitri did.

Felix: For years, the boar prince and I were inseparable.

In Chapter 2, Felix referred to their relationship as "腐れ縁" (kusareen) or "rotten bond". It is defined as "a relationship where, even if one tries to separate, they cannot." But it does not mean "inseparable" the way the English word indicates. "Inseparable" emphasizes closeness and mutual affection. "Kusareen" describes a bond that persists even though it's undesirable, troublesome, or "rotten." The relationship endures out of circumstance, habit, or obligation, rather than affection or choice. It is often used with a sense of resignation, frustration, or even humor, acknowledging a bond that's hard to break off but not particularly wanted.

Dimitri: You used to whine unless you could do everything with me…

I got the impression that, as kids, Dimitri was the one who viewed his relationship with Felix as "kusareen". He naturally got along better with Glenn than he did with Felix. Glenn was someone Dimitri enjoyed spending time with, even when they butt heads. And Felix was the annoying crybaby little brother who was too clingy. And some of Felix's discomfort around Dimitri was probably due to this history of feeling inferior to his more popular brother.

Felix: But without a blade to cut down your enemies, you cannot win. Those who are weak lose everything, and they die. Those who are strong win, and live on. I understand why you balk at bloodshed, but you must know that it has a purpose. Flayn: And what purpose might that be? Felix: A purpose. Let's just leave it at that. I'm not in the mood to debate you.

In his B-Support with Flayn, Felix debated the philosophical purpose of a sword and what its purpose is.

Dimitri: In Faerghus, we've long considered blades as tools of destiny. As a way to cut a path to a better future. She was being dragged all over, unable to live the life she wanted. I thought the dagger could help her cut a path to the future she dreamed of.

And I'm sure that he was raised with the same philosophy as Dimitri.

Felix: I've been preparing to take this path. My own path—not my old man's, and not the boar's.

In my Sylvix analysis, I argued that Felix wanted to be with Sylvain and that was what he wished for at the Goddess Tower. Sylvain hated Crests and Edelgard even sympathized with the plight of his brother Miklan. He also didn't want to get married. Thematically, both he and Felix are stronger recruits for CF than the other non-AM routes. I can see them sympathizing with Edelgard's ideals and running away from Faerghus, especially if it meant that they got to be together.

Felix: They used to call my father the "Shield of Faerghus." Now he's gone, and Arianrhod has fallen. Yet the Knights of Seiros remain. As does the boar. What terrifies me most is his stubbornness. He'll keep on fighting to the last man. He's a monster. I've seen it firsthand.

CF!Felix dehumanized Dimitri so that he could justify cutting him down. He didn't hate him or want him to die. He was just in the way of the future he wanted, so he had to cut him down. If Felix uses his sword to cut his own path, he can never realize his ideal future. He betrays his own ideals and sacrifices his humanity, and his paired ending with Sylvain is the most tragic one in the whole game. He has a much happier outcome in AM where he stays in Faerghus.

Felix: Hello. I have a request concerning that…creature. I can hardly look at the thing in the state it's in. Do something about it. Byleth: I'll see what I can do. Felix: Please do. We tracked the boar for five years. I thought he was dead. In the state he's in, he might as well be. He's gotten better at killing people, and in exchange, surrendered what little humanity he had.

Felix did have compassion for Dimitri and urged Byleth to comfort him. But after Dimitri tortured Randolph, Felix became snarky. His criticisms were valid. But they were not solely rooted in objectivity. He harbored a sense of spiteful pettiness towards Dimitri as well.

Rodrigue: When I heard you'd been executed, I rushed there as fast as I could, blind with fury. When I got there, I was fed some garbage about not being able to see your body. The next thing I knew, I was gripping my blade and... Gilbert, you have done well to locate His Highness. I am truly grateful. And you… I have you to thank, as well. Byleth: We were all fortunate. Rodrigue: Well, we are in your debt. I will repay you for this someday, I swear it. And you, Felix… You have also done well to bring His Highness here. Felix: Hmph.

When Glenn died, Felix was the replacement knight. But to Felix, Dimitri must have felt more like the replacement son. So, it wasn't hard to see why Felix's and Dimitri's relationship was so rotten. Dimitri's life was always considered inherently more valuable than his.

Felix: Just kill them from behind. As long as you don't see their faces, you won't know if you know them. Dimitri: We won't know unless we see their face… Yes, I suppose that is true.

In the Sealed Forest, Dimitri was hesitant because he thought the enemy might be someone they knew. The moment he found the dagger in the Flame Emperor's possession, he suspected Edelgard was involved in the Tragedy of Duscur. Felix offered the advice to kill them from behind. This was probably something he had to do for himself to make cutting down other humans bearable.

(Japanese Translation) Dimitri: …If you don't want to cut down someone you know, then just cut them down without looking at their face. Isn't that right? Felix: Tch… Yeah, I suppose so.

When the army planned to go to the Great Bridge, the localization changed the dialogue, so Dimitri made a comment about tarrying over the corpses of the dead. In Japanese, he was actually throwing Felix's old advice from the Sealed Forest back at him, probably to spite him for the earlier comment he made. One of Felix's worst fears about becoming a knight was now coming true. Having to obey the orders of the king and being used as a tool for his personal revenge.

Felix: Revenge can't bring the dead back to life. Unfortunately such a thing isn't possible. Hanging onto your anger, like the boar here, is futile.

Byleth tried talking Dimitri out of his vengeance softly, but it didn't work. With Rodrigue unwilling to scold him, Felix felt the need to do so in his place.

Felix: Remember, Professor. It's not compassion for this fool that has brought our army so far. There are those of us who despise the Empire, and those who side with the church. If we keep running down this path, it's only a matter of time before the ground beneath us collapses.

While Felix was harsh, he was still absolutely right from an objective standpoint. This was something that needed to be said. It was not fair to everyone else in the army to prioritize revenge. It was not even fair to Dimitri to be leading an army in his unstable condition.

(Japanese Translation) Rodrigue: Hey, cut the useless chatter, foolish son. Felix: ...Tch. You really are annoying...

Rodrigue admitted to Byleth that Dimitri was behaving foolishly, but he could not scold him. However, he had no problem scolding Felix for his entirely legitimate points. In this instance, I'm sure that Felix felt like the black sheep while Dimitri was the golden child.

(Japanese Translation) Felix: When I was a child, I hit my father only once. Now, looking back, he might have been struggling in his own way. I want to apologize, but…it's too late.

After Rodrigue died, Felix spent the next chapter in his room mourning. His note to the advice box showed that he wanted to apologize to his father. If he had gotten to apologize, would their relationship have been healthy? Well, we actually got to see them apologize to each other in Hopes.

Rodrigue: And you, Felix? What would your choice have been? Would you have abandoned His Majesty to save yourself? Or would you have chosen to fight until death claimed you? I myself would've safeguarded His Majesty at all costs. I know that it wasn't in Glenn's nature to flee either. Felix: It's always about courage or cowardice with you. I wouldn't have chosen anything.

And I thought their relationship was still very dysfunctional. Rodrigue always made his acceptance of Felix conditional upon whether he was willing to prioritize Dimitri's life over his own. He was willing to compromise because Felix said he would find a way for both of them to live. Still, there was never an option for Felix to choose a path other than knighthood. But even if their relationship had aspects that were unacceptable, Felix still loved his father and didn't want him to be cut down. He wished he had compromised and met him halfway.

Felix: I have a question for you. Answer quickly before my hand slips and I cut you in half. Dimitri: Always so ominous. Well? What is it, Felix? Felix: Sometimes you have an animal's face, contorted with anger and bloodlust. At other times, a man's, with a friendly smile. Which is your true face?

In their A-Support, Felix threatened to cut Dimitri down. He was not truly going to do it. But it showed that there may have been a part of him that still wanted to. He still considered Boar!Dimitri's actions unacceptable and held a lot of resentment towards him for abusing his authority as king and indirectly getting his father killed.

Dimitri: If I do not shoulder the anguish and regret they must have felt, who will? Felix: Hah. So, that's how you justify your atrocities. Dimitri: What do you mean?

Before the battle at Gronder, Felix was standing outside the classrooms, presumably remembering the students from the other houses. So, his anger makes even more sense when you consider that the Gronder Field battle was written as a bloodbath. Assuming you didn't recruit everyone, the Blue Lions had to kill not only their old classmates from the Empire, but also the students from the Alliance. Because of Dimitri's vendetta, the BLs might have been forced to pointlessly kill Raphael, Ignatz, Leonie, and Lysithea. Or else they would have been killed themselves.

Felix never changed his beliefs, nor did he suddenly embrace Rodrigue's ideals of chivalry. He simply did his best to live up to his own ideals. He chose to prioritize humanity over ideology. He attempted to acknowledge Dimitri's sorrow, like he did with Ashe when he was grieving for Lonato. He knew he'd regret it if he never got the chance, like he did with his father.

Felix: "I will fulfill my duty to the late king." My old man used to say that over and over, like a mantra. How nauseating. No one seems to understand. The dead won't acknowledge your loyalty. They don't care. What a load of bunk it is, pretending to serve a corpse. You're serving your own ego. [...] The dead are dead, the living are living. You have to respect that boundary. If you keep stringing gravestones around your neck, you'll snap. Dimitri: Even still… I cannot forget them, nor can I let them go. Felix: Then keep those thoughts to yourself. If you're too weak to do that, abandon your throne. Become a grave keeper.

In Japanese, Felix used a phrase which translates to "suck it up". He was very harsh on Dimitri. But he felt like his father loved Dimitri more than him. And to be fair, he probably did. Rodrigue died caressing Dimitri's face and told him to live for himself. Felix was told to die for Dimitri. And yet, Felix was still reaching out to comfort Dimitri over his father's death. He was remarkably compassionate.

Felix: I'll bear this pain until the day I die, but I refuse to wallow in it. I have more important things to do than blubber for my whole life. Dimitri: …

In English, Felix accused Dimitri of being a crybaby. In Japanese, Felix called him "甘ったれた" (amattareta). It means they are spoiled, overly dependent, or immature in their behavior. They act in a way that expects indulgence or leniency from others—often displaying a needy, childlike dependency. I got the impression that maybe Dimitri had called Felix that a long time ago. And I think Dimitri probably got a huge kick out of that particular insult due to the irony. It's why he will begin to tease Felix about his clinginess and his laziness in their dining hall and chore dialogue after they reach A-Support.

Dimitri: Heh. You know, Felix, you really are growing more and more like your brother. Always so sarcastic, and constantly looking for a fight. But deep inside, more than anyone, you— Felix: What are you getting at? Dimitri: Oh… It's nothing. But allow me to thank you. Your perspective has opened my eyes. Felix: Hmph. Not my intention. I couldn't stand the pathetic look on your face. That's all. Dimitri: I see. If you say so, then we will leave it at that.

Dimitri finally was able to acknowledge Felix's true strength, even if Felix didn't like to acknowledge that softer side of himself. This Support doesn't cleanly eliminate all the tension between them. But that's okay. Dimitri was willing to compromise and leave it at that.

Edelgard: When humanity stands strong and people reach out for each other…there's no need for gods.

In the Japanese version of the prologue, the correct answer to Sothis's question is not "a mortal" but "a human being". 3H is a game that asks the player what it truly mean to be human. Edelgard had good intentions and was dedicated to the cause of placing leadership of Fódlan back in humanity's hands. But I would argue that in her ruthless pursuit of that goal, she lost sight of her humanity.

The route's name "Azure Moon" is significant. In many cultures, the moon has been personified as a goddess or a divine feminine figure. Sothis drew strong inspiration from Gaia, the Greek goddess of the Earth and the and primordial mother of all life. The Titan Rhea was Gaia's daughter. Rhea was also the mother of Demeter, the Greek mother goddess of agriculture, grain, and the nurturing of life. And the name "Dimitri" literally means "follower of Demeter".

Felix: He intends to speak to the emperor? She's his stepsister, I know, but this seems risky. Byleth: You're against it? Felix: No, I'm not. I'm sure he's thought it through. If the two can settle this diplomatically, that would be the best way out of this mess. No more bloodshed. Let's just hope he doesn't become so overwhelmed with emotion that he's unable to strike her down… should the need arise.

The Renaissance ushered in more secular values by promoting humanism. The humanist movement did not attempt to abolish the Church with violence. Instead, humanists sought to reform the Church through intellectual discourse. Felix was Dimitri's biggest critic as a ruler due to the lack of humanity he showed towards his enemies. But he is the one recruitable student who cannot have a happy ending if he leaves the AM route. And it was due to the fact that he was never able to stop seeing the humanity in Dimitri.

(Normal) Felix: The path to the emperor is open. Fulfill your duty as our king. (Dimitri & Felix support level C reached) Felix: Go and win. Be the boar that you are, and don't you dare look back.

I don't think Felix needed to follow in his father or brother's footsteps and become a knight or Dimitri's right-hand man. Ultimately, I don't even think they needed to be friends. Their A-Support offered a sense of acceptance and closure. Even if you interpret it as more of a divergence of paths, there was a sense of compromise and mutual concession. But achieving A-Support still wasn't even necessary.

Felix completes his character arc even if he never achieves any Support level with Dimitri. He made peace with his father by meeting him halfway and helping Dimitri ascend the throne. But not necessarily anything more than that. The most important thing was not whether they cut off their relationship. It was for Felix to stay true to his ideals and not cut Dimitri down literally.

(Japanese Translation) Felix: Keep that intense thirst for revenge locked in your heart. It's something only I need to know. Dimitri: So essentially, you're saying if I'm going to pour my heart out, do it only in front of you? Felix: Ugh… Dimitri: …I can resist becoming a beast because you accept it. Just as Kyphon was to Loog, and Rodrigue was to Father… Please continue to stand by my side as my right hand, Felix. Felix: …Your right hand, huh? Well, that doesn't sound too bad.

Felix was the one person who had seen Dimitri at his worst. In AG, he filled in for Byleth by acting as Dimitri's confidante. He didn't really want to. But Dimitri said Felix accepted him and that allowed him to retain his humanity. That's when he agreed. And for the first time, he actually felt happy about the idea of being the right-hand man.

#fe3h #fe3h meta #felix hugo fraldarius #dimitri alexandre blaiddyd #long post

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7grandmel · 7 hours ago

Text

Rip of the week: 10/02/2025

Unfounded Ownership

Season Mine No Album Release (Read More) Unfounded Revenge / Smashing Song of Praise (PAL Version) - Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Ripped by SamanthaMK

youtube

You know what I haven't felt in the premiere of a new SiIvaGunner Season in a very long time? Complete and utter confusion.

Within recent memory, with both Season 7 and Season 8, I felt as if their premieres served as comforting, reassuring statements on what the year set out to deliver; the celebratory Year of Grand Dad for the former, and the comfort in an old friend becoming host with the latter, covered on Magolor's Shoppe Fusion Collab. Both seasons would later come to deliver some amazing surprises throughout, particularly by their finales, but lots of their runs felt comfortably reassuring, showing a team on track with a vision clear to both themselves and to us in the audience. Even in the years before, the premieres have served like a comforting bridge into the future; Season 2, 3 and 4 Episode 1 all formally introduced to us by Chaze the Chat himself to explain the path going forward. And yet as 2025 begins, as MAGFest came to an end and the team geared back up to begin uploading...suddenly, things got weird. Despite the last season's ending being all about piecing things together, about building bridges to move forward; 2025's season began with what I can only describe as a non-sequitur. With barely as much as a warning, we were thrust into Stingy's world, into Season Mine - not Nine - and it all, indeed, belongs to him.

It's hardly the first time that the channel's control has been usurped by an unexpected out-of-left-field arrival - I spent last week's post on Tribute to a MAD Agent discussing Inspector Gadget's terrifying Season 2 rule, best demonstrated on Become as Gadget - yet what differentiates Stingy's takeover is the context building up to it all. There's an undeniable sense of impulsive hap-hazardry that surrounds the early years of SiIvaGunner, with projects and events coming and going on a whim and the channel only taking it all seriously whenever it felt like it. The ARG that concluded Season 8, covered similarly haphazardly back on PRIMEneria, was all about addressing this carefree event-building, piecing together every possible stray bit of lore dropped throughout the early years to form a greater understanding of the whole. For instance, back during the first anniversary of The Reboot in Season 2, we were shown Fly High, No Lies ~Genocide Ending~: an out-of-nowhere alternate timeline highlighting how things could have turned out in the original Reboot storyline following if Chad's own behavior was more "accurate to how he is in the real world", even including the line "this was my true plan all along". The implications of this alternate-reality Chad Warden were left completely unexplored therafter, until the current SiIva team built onto it for this very same ARG to completely reframe the Reboot storyline, Chad's behavior, and even the original motives behind the channel's defacto villain of nine years, The Voice Inside Your Head. This was but one subject of many that the Susie ARG directly addressed; it framed the Season, then, as one of putting all the pieces together, putting all of one's ducks in a row, for the explosive finale of the storyline that lies just ahead.

And then, within that framing, with MAGFest hype having come and gone, with The Meeting and its messaging still fresh in everyone's minds...Stingy arrives. "After numerous long internal debates deciding on the next channel host", the SiIva team says on Discord, "we felt like there was really no better choice than Stingy!"; keep in mind, dear reader, that Stingy himself has NEVER appeared in SiIvaGunner lore beforehand, and that his song, the Mine song, had at this point appeared exactly FOUR times in the channel's entire history. I was in complete shock at 1AM on my phone; seeing Stingy's public announcement on the YouTube Community tab, the profile picture changing in an instant, tabbing over to the Discord server to see fellow fans in just as much disarray as myself. Unheard of for any prior takeover, Stingy was claiming ownership of far more than just the channel; SiIvaGunner's very own Discord account, the Twitter, the BlueSky, the Newgrounds...with every passing minute, the Discord community scrambled to see which online platforms had yet to be claimed by the assertive young prince, each discovery met with dread mere minutes after being shared. Bandcamp, Minecraft, Roblox, TikTok, the official highquality.rip website, all claimed to be his; all to the tune of the YouTube channel's new wave of Stingy-themed rips. Surely, this was just a momentary takeover...right?

Despite the aforementioned sparse usage of the song prior on the channel, however, rips like Unfounded Ownership show just how fun of a source the Mine song really is. LazyTown has over the years gained quite a reputation in online circles for having genuinely really fun songs; the Pirate Song, Bake A Cake, and of course the SiIvaGunner-pioneered We Are Number One which I've covered everywhere from on we are number one but with outdated memes over it to We Are Number 4 (Golden). Robbie Rotten is hardly an unknown presence to us, and his constant output of rips since the beginning of Season 2 have shown just how capable the ripping team are at leveraging just one song in so many creative ways; its this matured, seasoned team that's now under Stingy's beck and call, and the touch for quality is already apparent this early on into his rule. Setting aside its sheer listenability in its own right for just a moment, Unfounded Ownership is filled with fantastic touches around just about every corner, with the thumbnail change being the most obvious one; replacing not just Lucas' front-and-center render with a prideful Stingy, but also various background screenshots from Brawl with images reaffirming Stingy's rule. Beyond that, though, you hear it around every part of the listening experience, such as the rising WANO trumpet fanfares and flairs from 0:28 to 0:40, the "MINE-MINE" stingers that appear loudly in the section following, and of course the "This instrumental riff is also mine" quote being so perfectly placed in the brief interlude inbetween the song's more hectic segments.

But to of course return to the main topic at hand; this rip shows just how much the channel's long-term rippers, rippers like SamanthaMK and the many more who have been helping the channel for half a decade's worth of time, have grown in experience and proficiency. We don't have official stems released for the Mine song the way we now do with WANO, and as prior mentioned it's not exactly one that's well explored online beyond low-effort MrMrMANGOHead-core parodies, and yet Unfounded Ownership sounds as if the team had been doing these rips for all of 2024 behind our backs. The pitch shifting is both hilarious and exceptionally done, working alongside the placement of specific vocals for harmony with Unfounded Revenge's melody; the repeating, compounding "Mine-mine-mine-mine-mine"'s at 0:14 followed by the high-pitched "it all belongs to meee~" show what I mean just about perfectly. It's in large part just what I find impressive about rips like no more nuzzles in my skin; merging two seemingly conflicting songs in degrees so far above a mere mashup that you begin to question how the ripper managed to sit through it all to begin with, the end product lying so, so far away.

Every relisten I find some new little part of Unfounded Ownership to love, and saying that makes me feel absolutely insane given that I still can't quite even comprehend the state that the channel itself is even in. I'm taken back to the beginning of Season 4 Episode 1, where Chaze the Chat introduced the season as being one explicitly aiming to be "more unpredictable and chaotic than ever before"; yet, paradoxically, making said announcement in the same means of season premieres as the prior two years had already done. Season 4 Episode 1 did indeed have some absurdist highlights - I'll never forget the likes of Chain of Memories 2 Day or Sex - Steve Harvey - and yet the Season ironically wound up becoming far more known for the most expected part of its run, the tournament sequel announced before the season even began; reflective, in a sense, of how Chaze the Chat's wish for chaos was announced in the most expected means possible. Funny enough, SamanthaMK even worked on last year's season premiere with Magolor's Shoppe Fusion Collab, a collab as comforting and reassuring as it was, in part, expected; With Season Mine, with Stingy's takeover, meanwhile, Chaze the Chat's promise for chaos is finally being followed through upon, the tables being flipped only after so much time had been spent carefully decorating it. It's with the first channel host to truly take over EVERYTHING, the first season to exclude a number from its name entirely, the first premiere in ages to make me feel genuinely uncertain about what's in the pipeline for the channel; all, of course, still paired with rips like Unfounded Ownership, that show the team's utmost confidence and proficiency running high behind it all.

#todays siivagunner #season mine #siivagunner #siiva #SamanthaMK #tentative rip name #rip visuals #Youtube #mother 3 #lazytown #lazytown stingy #super smash bros brawl #smash bros

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artepti · 6 months ago

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you know the one shot you wrote for possessed Macaque? I know this is a lot to ask, but I don't have access to ao3, could you maybe post it in tumblr?

Oh absolutely, dude! I don't mind at all, please never hesitate to ask me things like these! :DD

Destiny’s Redemption

Summary: “You won't win this. Even you have to realize that, right?” Macaque said, narrowing his eyes at Wukong.

Rather than answering, the latter leveled the Shadow with a glare. There seemed to be something beyond pure anger in his eyes, but Macaque couldn’t, for the life of him, discern what it was.

“This is a suicide mission, Wukong. You can't defeat the LBD all on your own; you may be strong, but even you have your limits.” he scoffed, trying to get his point across, although his words didn’t elicit any reaction.

In all honesty, he didn't know why he was currently standing behind the Monkey King, trying to convince him not to walk towards his doom. Wasn't that what he wanted? His revenge?

…He decided that, no it wasn't, at least not like this. If there was one person in this realm who got to ram a weapon through the King's chest, it was him, not some destiny-crazed maniac. Convincing himself that that was the only reason he was currently standing way too close to the LBDs location, he kept talking to the other simian.

A “What if Macaque got possessed instead of Wukong” kinda story

Story: “You won't win this. Even you have to realize that, right?” Macaque said, narrowing his eyes at Wukong.

Rather than answering, the latter leveled the Shadow with a glare. There seemed to be something beyond pure anger in his eyes, but Macaque couldn’t, for the life of him, discern what it was.

“This is a suicide mission, Wukong . You can't defeat the LBD all on your own; you may be strong, but even you have your limits.” he scoffed, trying to get his point across, although his words didn’t elicit any reaction.

In all honesty, he didn't know why he was currently standing behind the Monkey King, trying to convince him not to walk towards his doom. Wasn't that what he wanted? His revenge?

…He decided that, no it wasn't, at least not like this . If there was one person in this realm who got to ram a weapon through the King's chest, it was him, not some destiny-crazed maniac. Besides, he wouldn't admit it, but the chances of defeating the LBD with Wukong dead were… unfavorable to say the least.

Convincing himself that those were the only reasons he was currently standing way too close to the LBDs location, he kept talking to the other simian.

However, it didn't seem to matter what he asked or yelled out, as a moment later Wukong was gone, off to the horrifying armor looming in the distance.

Macaque sighed.

“Well, that's just great,” he mumbled to no one but himself, before disappearing into his shadow, bent on chasing after the other.

He can't lie, once he arrived on the battlefield he was kind of impressed by how good Wukong was holding up against the Bone Demon. He was also surprised Nezha and the Monkie Kid were both there, watching, just like him. Probably also torn between helping and risking to be in the way or just letting the King handle it.

Maybe he was wrong, the Six-Eared Simian thought to himself, maybe this would be easier than he thought, maybe his worries were unfounded. But just as he tried to convince himself to relax a bit, he realized the Lady Bone Demon was making a straight run towards where MK and Nezha stood.

He heard it before he saw it, but he was sure both the Lotus Prince and the Kid weren't blessed with as many ears as he was, so Macaque sprang into action before the other two could comprehend what was happening.

He created a shadow portal under MK as well as the Prince, knowing the latter could probably get away in time but not wanting to take any chances.

The LBD reached their previous location just when they disappeared into the shadows, and if he wasn't so focused on saving their lives, seeing all four— MK, Nezha, the Bone Demon and Wukong who was currently making his way over to them at unbelievable speeds— seriously surprised would have been entertainment for hours at least.

However, he had a job to do. He swiftly portalled Nezha and Xiaotian to safety, dismissing MK's startled yelp. Without hesitation, he reappeared behind the Lady Bone Demon, a quiet "boo" slipping from his lips. Before she could fully turn, Macaque had already vanished into the shadows, replaced by the Monkey King charging at her with lightning speed, fists raised and a fury no one would ever wish to face. Macaque would know.

He watched as the Monkey King punched the LBD through several mountains. But he didn’t stop there, and their battle seemed to pick up speed, with the King clearly having the upper hand.

Macaque got a bit closer, deciding on observing and helping with his shadow powers here and there by either tripping the LBD or some other small shtick. However he did still try his best to stay at a bit of a distance, not really in the mood on becoming a shadow sandwich by accident.

Apparently, though, Lady Bone Demon was not amused by his little distractions. She sharply turned towards where he was hiding. Wukong followed her gaze, realizing a moment later whom she was probably looking at.

“Not happening,” the King hissed just as he lunged at the Bone Demon, but she dodged the attack easily, although forced to turn her glare back towards Wukong.

She knew she didn't have much time left before the Monkey King would land a fatal hit, which forced her to think fast.

Her glare turned to a manic smirk as an idea seemed to come to her mind. And if there's one thing Macaque and Wukong wouldn't need right now it's her getting ideas. Even Wukong, as dense as the monkey appeared to be at times, seemed to realize she had come up with something .

The King narrowed his eyes at her, “Whatever it is you're thinking, you might as well throw it out right now, this fight is already lost for you and you know it. ”

She responded with a sickening smile that made Macaque’s stomach churn. “Oh, but don’t you know? Destiny will always find a way.” That was all the warning the Shadow received before blinding, searing pain erupted in his head. He collapsed out of the shadow he had been hiding in, clutching his head as his distorted mind filled with images of a former friend standing over him with a solemn expression and a staff raised high.

He thought he heard someone screaming his name, but his own cries drowned out most of the surrounding sounds. Through the haze, he saw a blurred figure in front of him, seemingly trying to steady him. The orange figure looked vaguely familiar, but before he could make any kind of connection, he was promptly pulled into unconsciousness.

Wukong could only watch as a blue mist appeared in his peripheral vision. If he looked closely, he could see faces of long-lost souls within it. The mist seeped through the shadows just before a screaming Macaque tumbled out, clutching his head in pain.

“Get... out... of... my... head!” Macaque roared, his voice raw and filled with a pain so intense it made Wukong’s heart ache.

“Oh, how touching,” she sneered, her mental grip on Macaque tightening. “But I’m afraid it’s too late for that, simian.”

If he wasn’t mad before, he definitely was now, enemy or not, he knew Macaque saved MK earlier and stayed even after that, helping him with small tricks.

Wukong rushed to Macaque's side and crouched down, his voice tinged with panic. “Macaque, hey, stay with me-”

He thought he heard the Lady Bone Demon laughing behind him. But just as he turned to confront her, he was slammed to the ground by a smirking Macaque, his eyes icy blue. The sight sent a shiver down Wukong’s spine, but before he could react, Macaque summoned his shadow staff, intent on aiming a fierce blow at Wukong’s head.

Wukong dodged, though not as quickly as he would have liked. The fight with the Lady Bone Demon had left him exhausted —despite having the upper hand, she had landed some solid hits. Now, facing Macaque’s unsettlingly cold smile, Wukong was at a loss.

His movements turned more defensive, and he could see the Lady Bone Demon smirking in his lateral vision, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

“Don't get too distracted, Peaches. I might just land a lucky hit this time,” Macaque’s voice, distorted and dripping with false sweetness, taunted as he continued his relentless assault.

“Don't you dare abuse his memories,” the King growled, surprising even himself a little with how much rage pooled in his gut as the smug shadow monkey chuckled at his angered expression.

“Oh? Isn't that just absolutely hilarious, acting like you aren't the reason why these memories exist in the first place,” Macaque laughed, the cold smile turning wider.

Wukong was about to retort with something, anything he could really, but he stopped, words stuck in his throat and a familiar, centuries long guilt settling in his gut.

Wukong’s breath hitched, his grip on the Ruyi Jingu Bang faltering slightly. “I know,” he whispered, barely audible over the clash of their weapons and the echoing laughter of the Lady Bone Demon. “I know what I did... and I’m sorry.”

Wukong knew that turning a life-or-death battle into an impromptu therapy session might not have been his brightest idea, but seeing his former friend with that cold, corrupted smirk and manic gaze— knowing he was the reason for it in the first place —he couldn’t bring himself to stay silent.

Macaque’s eyes—icy and foreign—narrowed in confusion for a brief second, his staff pausing mid-swing before he forced it down towards Wukong again. But the hesitation was enough. Wukong caught the strike, the impact resonating through his bones, but he didn’t let go.

The King noticed the hesitation in the other and needed only a moment before the full realization struck him. It was almost laughable that it had taken a fight to the death for him to finally open up about his deep-seated issues and regrets.

Yet, if all it took to make the other stop attacking—or at least to ease his blows—was to express his feelings and show vulnerability, he mused that most would likely have preferred such a straightforward solution.

Of course, he wasn’t most people; he was far more emotionally constipated than the average monkey. Nevertheless, he pressed on, driven not only by the need to win the fight but also by a small, persistent voice in his heart that urged him to protect the shadow from further harm.

“I’m sorry!” Wukong shouted, louder this time, his voice raw and pleading. “I’m sorry for what I did to you, Macaque! I was blind, I was stupid, and I let my pride destroy everything between us.”

The shadow monkey snarled, wrenching his staff free and shoving Wukong back with a burst of his shadow magic. “You think an apology is going to fix centuries of suffering ?!” His voice was distorted, twisted by the Lady Bone Demon’s influence, but Wukong could still hear the underlying pain.

“No,” Wukong admitted, panting from the exertion of their clash. “No, it won’t. But I have to say it. I’ve regretted that day for so long, Macaque. I didn’t understand... I didn’t see what you were trying to do.”

“Shut up!” Macaque’s scream was filled with rage, but also with something more— a deep, unresolved hurt that clawed at the edges of his mind, even through the Lady Bone Demon’s control. He charged at Wukong again, but this time his strikes were erratic, fueled by emotion rather than strategy.

Wukong deflected the blows, his heart aching with every clash. “You were my best friend,” he continued, voice cracking. “Maybe even more than that. And I threw it all away because I couldn’t see past my own stubbornness.”

Macaque’s resolve wavered, his movements slowing, the icy blue in his eyes flickering as memories—of laughter, of shared battles, of moments of closeness, of sitting under a peach tree in each other's arms —pushed through the fog of the Lady Bone Demon’s control. But the demon’s influence was still strong, twisting his thoughts, trying to drown out Wukong’s words.

“You’re lying,” Macaque hissed, though the conviction in his voice was weakening. “You’re just trying to manipulate me... like you always did.”

“No,” Wukong said firmly, stepping forward even as Macaque raised his staff again. “Not this time.” He dropped his staff, leaving himself open, vulnerable. “If you hate me, then fine. But know that I never hated you. I—” he swallowed, the words heavy on his tongue. “I love you, Macaque. I always have.”

Macaque froze, the words hitting him like a physical blow. The ice in his eyes cracked, a flicker of his true self shining through the cold blue. “Wukong…?” he whispered, the name filled with a mixture of longing and confusion.

Before the Lady Bone Demon could reassert her control, Wukong closed the distance between them, his hands cupping Macaque’s face gently. “Please, come back to me. I can't make the same mistake twice. I can't fight you again.”

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. The battlefield, the chaos, the lingering presence of the Lady Bone Demon—all of it faded into the background as Macaque stared into Wukong’s eyes.

As the Shadow held him in his gaze, the weight of their shared history pressed down on him. His heart ached with a mix of anger and longing, the emotions clashing like the two fighting against the Lady Bone Demon.

Macaque felt the icy walls— both the one of the Lady Bone Demon and his own— starting to crumble. And then, when Wukong’s words pierced through his defenses—words filled with genuine regret and unspoken love—Macaque surged forward pressing his lips to Wukong’s in a desperate, fervent kiss, clearly surprising both of them simultaneously.

It wasn’t a calculated move or a tactical advantage; it was a raw expression of everything that had been left unsaid between them.

Would Macaque later regret that he jumped straight to kissing the one guy he had been plotting to take down for ages—so much so that he even put on an entire shadow play about how awful he was—just because of a few sweet words that turned him into a puddle? Probably, yeah. But that was a problem for future Macaque, and present Macaque just couldn't be bothered to care.

To his absolute surprise, as their lips met, Macaque could feel the LBD’s power weakening, the force of their shared emotions shattering the Lady Bone Demon’s control over him. The icy blue in his eyes dissolved, replaced by familiar warmth. The cold, blue aura around him flickered and then dissipated, leaving only the two of them, holding onto each other as if their lives depended on it.

The Lady Bone Demon shrieked in fury, clearly in pain at the push against her control and also angered to no end about her — now failing — plan, knowing she was in no condition to fight anymore.

As the two simians broke apart and the intense moment between them drew to a close, the battlefield fell silent. For a heartbeat, they stood there, the enormity of their shared history and the weight of their recent revelations sinking in.

However the silence didn't last long, broken by chuckles from both of them.

“Did– did you just free me with the power of love?! ” Macaque squawked, seemingly as flabbergasted about this whole ordeal as Wukong felt.

“ I never knew you were a Disney princess ,” Wukong muttered with a chuckle, earning a glare with no real heat behind it from Macaque.

It took them only a moment longer to recover, knowing they still had some business to take care of. And breathless but determined, Wukong picked up his staff, his eyes locking onto the Bone Demon with renewed fire. Beside him, Macaque stood ready, shadows coiling around his hands, now fully under his control, no longer tainted by the demon’s influence.

“Ready to finish this?” Wukong asked, his voice steady, filled with a confidence he hadn’t felt in centuries and a warmth he thought he lost a long time ago.

Macaque smirked, the old mischief returning to his gaze. “Let’s show her what happens when you mess with the Great Sage and his shadow.”

Wukong hesitated for a second. That didn't feel right. “How about The Great Warrior and his King instead?” He proclaimed with a smile.

Macaque seemed stunned for a moment before sighing, a small smile adorning his features.

Well then, my King —” Macaque chuckled, relishing the moment as Wukong’s warm expression turned dumbfounded, with a flustered blush. “—let's get this over with, shall we?”

Wukong nodded a moment later, before they launched themselves at the Lady Bone Demon, their combined strength and fury overwhelming her quite easily, especially after she had expended so much power on Macaque earlier.

With every strike, every coordinated move, they pushed her back, her growing distress evident in her darting eyes.

Each blow seemed to sap the Lady Bone Demon’s strength, her once formidable stance wavering under their relentless assault. The battlefield, now a chaotic mess of shadows and light clashing with ice, bore witness to their unyielding determination.

Wukong and Macaque moved in perfect sync, their actions a testament to their broken past. They anticipated each other’s moves with uncanny precision, their combined efforts creating a powerful rhythm that steadily wore down the demon’s defenses.

The Lady Bone Demon’s roars of fury and frustration echoed through the air, mingling with the thunderous clashes of their weapons.

As the battle raged on, her attacks grew more desperate, each one less accurate than the last. The weight of their attacks seemed to push her towards the edge of collapse.

With a final, synchronized maneuver, Wukong and Macaque delivered a one last strike. The Lady Bone Demon’s form shattered under the force of their attack, her dark essence dissolving. The once menacing presence faded into nothingness, leaving only the echoes of her defeat behind…

As the dust settled, Wukong and Macaque stood side by side, breathing heavily but victorious. The battlefield was silent, the threat of the Lady Bone Demon finally gone.

Wukong turned to Macaque, his heart pounding not just from the battle but from the realization that they had just fought together, as they once had, centuries ago. “Thank you,” he said, his voice soft, filled with genuine gratitude and affection.

Macaque looked at him, the animosity that had defined their relationship for so long softening, if only just a little. “Don’t think this means I’ve forgiven you completely,” he said, and while he wasn't lying, his tone conveyed that he was teasing rather than hostile.

Wukong chuckled, a smile breaking across his face. “I wouldn’t dream of it. But maybe... we can start over?”

Macaque considered him for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, maybe we can.”

As they stood there side by side, the centuries of pain and regret began to ease, making room for the possibility of something new, something stronger. It wasn’t a cure-all, but it was a beginning—a chance for The King and The Warrior to start mending a bond they had long believed was lost, realizing now that it was never truly gone...

#LMK #my art #possessed macaque #lmk sun wukong #lego monkie kid #ao3 fanfic #fanfiction #fanfic #ao3 writer #lmk fanart #macaque lmk #macaque #lmk lbd #lady bone demon #Season 3 #lego monkie kid fanfic

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cannedwyrms · 7 months ago

Text

Spoilers for shadow of the erdtree, but...

I NEED to talk about Marika, okay?

In the base game, I thought she was interesting, don't get me wrong, but the amount of DEPTH SOTE gives her is INCREDIBLE.

The first time I got to the Shaman Village, I instantly knew she was going up on my Good Antagonist List™ immediately.

And, because of that, I wanted to have another ramble about her, as is becoming customary for this blog.

So, let's go over what exactly we learned about Marika and what this informs us about her character.

I think the Shaman Village really takes center stage here. The music, the item descriptions, it all combines to paint a gentler, more human image of Marika. In the base game, she was more like a god (which made sense seeing as she was one), but we see a more human side of her here.

So, the Shaman Village. It's the place where Marika grew up, her home. Unfortunately for her, shaman bodies are apparently quite good for putting into big jars, which was something the Hornsent loved to do. We've all seen it before, right? I mean, we've all seen a zealous religious society commit atrocities against an underclass in fiction, not the jar thing.

And the Hornsent are a zealous religious society. They used the bodies of shamen in jars to make saints. Which sounds like complete nonsense, I know, but that's just elden ring lore babey.

Anyway, it's my personal headcannon, if not outright fact, that the Hornsent's persecution of Marika's people is what led her down the path of becoming a god. Like Miquella, she wanted to make the world a gentler place. Unlike Miquella, though, she only wanted to make it gentler for her people.

In short, it's my belief that Marika became a god in large part to inact revenge on the hornsent.

Okay, pause. I know Elden Ring Lore is like, a big deal and all, and anything I say is basically unfounded on everything except intuition, my own personal interpretations, and because I believe my theories fit thematically within the wider narrative, but just stay with me on this, alright? I think there's a real undertone of misogyny in the fanbase, and sometimes that can color interpretations of certain characters even unintentionally. Marika has gotten this treatment worse than most, I think, because she is a prominent woman who does morally questionable things. Beyond the inherent misogyny, though, I've noticed that a lot of people interpret Marika's actions very uncharitably. Anyways, all that to say, this is my post, and I care more about everything working together thematically than digging deep into the depths of the lore to find out that "oh, actually Scrupulous the Untested mentioned this flower, which represents pure evil, and he was talking about Marika when he did," or whatever. A strawman? Perhaps, but you get my point. Still, I'll try to remain true to my understanding of the lore, but I'm bound to make mistakes. I'm not an expert. Sorry for the long aside, I just felt these were important points that wouldn't fit in elsewhere.

So, I believe Marika sought godhood partly to punish the Hornsent, although I won't pretend to understand her full motivations.

I believe this is what Ymir was referring to when he said "I fear that you have borne witness to the whole of it. The conceits - the hypocrisy - of the world built upon the Erdtree. The follies of man. Their bitter suffering. Is there no hope for redemption? The answer, sadly, is clear. There never was any hope. They were each of them defective. Unhinged, from the start. Marika herself. And the fingers that guided her. And this is what troubles me. No matter our efforts, if the roots are rotten, then we have little recourse."

My interpretation of this is that Marika's intentions for godhood were impure. She wasn't seeking to improve things, just punish the ones who wronged her people. Thus, her reign was doomed from the start.

Now, let's get into what really sold me on Marika as a character.

There are, to my knowledge, two items you can find in the Shaman Village.

The Minor Erdtree incantation, and the Golden Braid talisman. Let's take a look at the flavortext for these two items and see what we can glean, starting with the Minor Erdtree.

"Marika bathed the village of her home in gold, knowing full well that there was no one to heal."

So, by the time she returned to her village, everyone was already dead. How devastated must Marika have felt, to return from claiming godhood and revenge, only to find that there was no one left to avenge. She was alone.

Here's the text we get from the golden braid:

"A braid of golden hair, cut loose. Queen Marika's offering to the Grandmother. Boosts holy damage negation by the utmost. What was her prayer? Her wish, her confession? There is no one left to answer, and Marika never returned home again."

Man, reading that, with the shaman village music in the background, just thinking about a young Marika resolving herself to become a god, to save her village and people from the Hornsent, the anger she must have felt, the fear and solemn resignation of her goal, only to return again to find herself alone. What was her wish? What did she leave behind in her village? We'll never know, because Marika is alone. Her people are gone. In the end, she couldn't save them.

Is it really any wonder that she eventually began to doubt the very order she had founded?

But now let's talk about some other aspects of Marika's character that the dlc reveals.

Namely, her Omen sons.

Imagine how Marika must have felt, looking down at her newborns to see the very horns that had destroyed her people upon them. It's just so DAMN good, character wise. There must have been so many mixed feelings surrounding them. I wonder if she even felt any love for them at all when she saw those horns. Like, I don't know, obviously, but I imagine she felt conflicted. She didn't outright kill them, which is good, but she did leave them chained in a sewer for most of their lives, so yeah not great.

But that's what I love about her character. Elden ring, in a lot of ways, is about how victims can become victimizers. How, in pursuit of noble goals, or revenge, you can lose yourself and become just as bad or worse than the people you set out to punish. That's Marika's character. That's why she's part of the List™.

Because Marika started out as someone angry at the systems that oppressed her and sought to change them. She was the hero of the story, in the beginning. But, in pursuit of her goal, she lost herself and became a bit of a monster.

SOTE, to me, revealed that Elden Ring's story is one of complete moral grey. Everyone is working towards a cause that they believe in, including you. The ends justify the means for you, even if it means striking down a mostly innocent grieving woman, hunting your fellow tarnished, or turning on the ones who trusted you and called you a compatriot. Ranni, Miquella, Radahn, Fia, D, Godrick, Malenia, Leda, Ansbach, Thiollier, Gideon, this applies to everyone.

The same goes for Marika. In trying to punish the hornsent and build a better future for herself and her people, she lost her people and eventually succombed to her worst tendencies.

That's why St. Trina pleads with you to stop Miquella. Because to become a god is to sacrifice everything that makes you human.

Marika took that sacrife willingly, in order to punish the ones who hurt her, and in the end, that's what broke her.

I think she recognized this, and that's why she set the stage for you to become Lord. In the chance that someone might do better than her, make the world a gentler place, not for a god, not for ambition or power, not in revenge or anger, but im compassion. Whether or not that's how you choose to rule is, of course, up to you, but I like to imagine that Marika, after everything, found something to hope for again.

Okay, that's the end of my thoughts. Was any of that true to the lore? Who cares. It's how I like to interpret what we were given about Marika. If I'm wrong, then whatever. I'll still be right in my heart.

Alright, bye. Go play shadow of the erdtree, or watch someone else play it at the very least. Next time, I might talk about Miquella, or maybe Leda and her allies.

Someday I'll be brave enough to talk about Agent Black. Someday. But that would maybe turn into a full ten page essay about why Iconoclasts is so very good and I'm not sure the two people who care about what I say here are ready for that.

Okay bye.

A brief adendum to this post:

Because I was analyzing Marika from a literary perspective, focusing on the sympathetic angle SOTE added to her character, I realize I forgot something important, so let me say it now:

Marika's persecution does in no way justify her genocide of the hornsent.

That idea kind of got lost in the shuffle, but it's definitely an important aspect of her character. She's an antagonistic force in the world who has done some very awful things to further her goals, more so than any other antagonist in Elden Ring. Her tragic past only adds dimension to her character, not an excuse for the atrocities she comits.

Okay, bye again.

#elden ring dlc #elden ring #video game analysis #literary analysis #analysis #media analysis #thoughts #elden ring marika #marika the eternal #shadow of the erdtree #I could also talk about Morgott or Godrick if I feel like it #which is really how I decide which character to analyze #it's just based on what I feel like talking about at the moment #and I just beat the elden ring dlc so......#yeah expect some more scattered analysis on its characters

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