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r-capa · 2 years

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Sunshine (2007): Character Backstories

found on reddit.

__________

Capa: Physicist

Nationality: American

When Capa was seventeen, he wrote a paper which he submitted to America’s foremost scientific journals. It contributed to the understanding of dark matter, and in particular a theory for a controlled method releasing its energy. Although dark matter theory was already well advanced, Capa’s theory assisted in the formation of the principle on which the Stellar Bomb was constructed for the Icarus I mission. Capa was too young to have accompanied this first Icarus mission. But in the intervening years, Capa continued his research. By the time it was realised that the first mission had failed, and preparations for a second mission began, Capa was the world’s foremost expert on the dark matter bomb. Because Capa is the only member of the crew who is not, by history and training, an astronaut, he is an outsider. In this respect, much of the crew see him as effectively a piece of valuable equipment, which must be transported intact to the delivery point. Kaneda, however, feels differently towards Capa. He feels protective in a way which is partly paternal. He knows that it is hard for Capa being an outsider, a passenger, and goes out of his way to make Capa feel included. What Kaneda doesn’t fully realise is that Capa is by nature a loner. He is perfectly content with his own company, working in the dark interior of the Stellar Bomb. Searle does realise this—in fact, it is Capa’s self-contained quality that Searle likes. And Capa likes Searle equally. The two of them get on: they talk the same language, and have a similar sense of humour. Although they are both fundamentally loners, the relationship between them is actually the strongest bond in the crew. Capa is better than Kaneda at chess, and so he always lets Kaneda play white. Capa sometimes lets Kaneda win. Intellectually and internally, Capa is an atheist.

__________

Cassie: Pilot

Nationality: American

Cassie’s background is military—she entered the space program through her experience as a pilot in the US air-force. But she does not fit the stereotype of military personnel. She is non-competitive. She has no particular interest in, or attraction to, machismo. She doesn’t have an automatic deferential response to rank or duty. Cassie has a personal interest in the arts. She was the only crew member who packed books in her kit-bag as personal possessions. Both instinctively and academically, Cassie is a humanist. She likes people, she cares about people. Her sense of mankind is non-cynical and forgiving: she would believe that, in general and as a default position, people are good. Cassie is an atheist. She doesn’t believe in God because she sees no reason for God to exist. She is confident in herself. She is comfortable within her own skin. On the psychological profiles about who would cope best with the long-term deep-space mission, Cassie’s score was the highest. There were pilots in the space program who matched and exceeded her skill, but none that were seen as more suitable for the stresses and pressures of the mission. She has no primary partner, and, as with all the crew, she has no children. However, four months before the mission left Earth Orbit, Cassie became pregnant. The identity of the father was known only to her: he was never aware that Cassie was briefly carrying his child. She terminated the pregnancy after six weeks. The only member of the crew who knows this is Searle, who assisted her in hiding her blood test results from the other doctors in the space program. The termination of her pregnancy had a subtle effect on her outlook—a discreet emotional accent in her perception of life, and death. This nuance might have skewed her psychological profiling, had the most crucial psych-tests not already been carried out. She dreams continuously about the surface of the sun.

__________

Corazon: Biologist

Nationality: Chinese

Corazon was born in Manila, but her Chinese/Filipino parents moved to the Chinese mainland when she was a young girl. She worked in the Pan-Asian Space program, but, like Trey and Kaneda, was drafted into the U.S. program to work on the Icarus project. Corazon is a career astronaut from the Chinese space program. Her area of specialised knowledge is the cultivation of high-yield oxygen-producing plants. For the last fifteen years, Corazon has been based on the international Moon stations, where she supervised the oxygen production and recycling program. Whereas everyone else on the crew see their mission as to secure the future of mankind, Corazon sees the protection of life in broader terms. Her wish would be to protect Earth as a single biosphere, of which mankind is just one part. Corazon’s feelings for her plants and the Oxygen Garden are more intense than her feelings for any of the crew. In emotional terms, she feels the loss of more deeply. Out of all the crew, her natural ally is Mace. Although she is calmer and less hot-blooded than Mace, they are both pragmatists. They both work with their hands. And most importantly, they are not sentimental. Corazon is the only crew member who has never used the calming properties of the Earth Room. For her, the Earth Room is simply artificial, and she prefers instead to spend solitary time in her beloved Oxygen Garden. Corazon is married, but like all the crew of Icarus II, she has no children. In her final recorded message to her husband, she spoke no words. Instead she gazed at the screen for exactly one minute, then smiled, and sent the message home. When Corazon sleeps, she dreams of rice-field terraces cut into hillsides.

__________

Harvey: Comms Officer, Second in Command

Nationality: American

Harvey is a veteran of the U.S. space program, and is one of the few members of the Icarus II crew to have had any involvement in the Icarus I mission. As a young graduate into the Icarus project, he worked as a junior engineer on the Icarus I comms system. Harvey is a Protestant. He is married to his childhood sweetheart. They are without children. He earned his place on the Icarus II mission partly as a result of his invention of the LIGHT BOX COMMS SYSTEM. Built into his console, when he immerses himself in this oddly thick beam of light, he can cancel out the noise of background interference from radiation storms and solar flares. It is this space he retreats to, of purity of sound, to escape from the stresses and pressures of the deep-space mission. Harvey earned his rank on the Icarus II mission partly by hard work and all-round abilities. He is a fine engineer, and would be able to perform most of Mace, Trey, and Cassie’s duties at an equal level. His physical fitness and general health is extremely good. He consistently scored highest in crew fitness tests. He also scored extremely highly on psych tests, as a dependable and stable member of the crew. However, in the psych tests, he managed to disguise (and they failed to detect) his Achilles heel: which is his attachment to his wife. Simply, he misses her. He dreams of her every night. He is terrified by the idea that he will not survive the mission, and never see her again. It is this weakness that eats away inside him.

__________

Kaneda: Captain

Nationality: Japanese

Kaneda was born in Kyoto. He worked for many years in the Pan-Asian Space Program, with both Corazon and Trey. He was then transferred to the Icarus Project, based first in America, and then on the orbiting international space station. In both age and time spent in space flight, he is the most experienced astronaut of the crew. He was a natural choice to lead the second mission. The entire crew of Icarus II are deferential to him. No one questions his authority or judgement. Kaneda has no wife and no children. He is Buddhist. He has an unforced and pragmatic spiritualism. In his sleeping quarters, he has a small shrine. Outwardly, Kaneda is a model of calm, and he leads by example. But privately, he obsesses about fate of Icarus I. He questions and re-questions the failure of the previous mission. Kaneda feels paternalistic towards all his crew, but in particular, Capa. This is partly because Capa is the youngest, but also because Capa is the only crew member who is not a career astronaut. He knows that it is hard for Capa being an outsider, a passenger, and goes out of his way to make Capa feel included. Kaneda’s closest intellectual equal is Searle. Searle is the only member of the crew with whom he would maintain a friendship outside the context of the mission.

__________

Mace: Engineer

Nationality: American

Mace is in some senses a blue-collar scientist: his specialist area is Engineering. He doesn’t understand the code programming that creates the Icarus Flight Computer—because no one does. The coding behind Icarus is so immensely complex that it required other computers to generate it. But what Mace does understand is the circuitry mapping and the mechanics that run it. His family background is military. He grew up on air-bases; both parents were pilots. He has an innate belief in the chain of command, and an innate distrust of those—such as Capa—who sit outside the chain of command. His mind is practical and three-dimensional, not abstract. He has never read a book for pleasure. He would rather spend spare time doing push-ups than listening to music. He cuts his hair short because life is easier that way. He is honest. He has no vanity, but he does have pride. Mace is disgusted with himself when he finds that, over the long journey to Mercury, he has lost his focus on the mission. He is the only crew member whose vision remains unclouded in respect of this goal. He is unsentimental. He doesn’t like Capa. He has a dry sense of humour which is for his own benefit rather than anyone else’s. That is to say, he doesn’t crack a joke in order to make other people laugh. He is not a firebrand. If anything, he is the opposite. His mind is clear, and is not cluttered by the confusions of adrenaline or passion. Losing his temper with Capa is the exception; not the rule. He never remembers his own dreams. If he did, he’d find, to his surprise, that he often dreams of Cassie.

__________

Searle: Doctor and Psych Officer

Nationality: American

Searle is not married. Searle is the only crew member who did not have a counter-part on Icarus I. Icarus I had a doctor, but no psychiatrist. Endless theories were developed and explored for the failure of Icarus I. Searle was the primary advocate for the theory that the failure of the mission might have been for psychological reasons—the psychiatric collapse of one or all of the crew. He spent years researching the effects of deep-space travel and its effects on the mind—during which time he developed and created the Earth Room. As a consequence of his research, he argued strongly that the Med Officer on Icarus II should also be a qualified psychiatrist. It was an argument he won. Its unintended consequence was that Searle himself was chosen as the Psych Officer for the mission. His own psychological profile is of a man who is extremely emotionally stable. He is even-tempered. He has a good sense of humour. He is not given to panic or hasty decisions. However, he is also a man who is eternally separate from other people. He is detached. A watcher. Unjudgemental. Oddly unconcerned. This can make him appear (particularly to Mace) unprofessional. Searle is the only member of the crew to know that Cassie became pregnant, and aborted her child, during the final stages of the Icarus II preparation. He helped her hide this from continuous medical examinations, by using earlier samples of blood and urine tests. Searle’s motivations and his agendas are his own, and could best be described as philosophical. Ultimately, he believes only this: the larger the searchlight, the larger the circumference of the unknown. Searle does not believe in God. But he thinks that sometimes he glimpses God, hidden in the sunshine. Whether this tells himself something about God, or something about himself, is unclear to him.

__________

Trey: Navigator

Nationality: Chinese

Trey was born in Hong Kong. Trey has a prodigious ability with mathematics. He has can perform extremely complicated calculations in his head, and can perform the classic mathematician’s party-trick: to tell you what day of the week any given date fell on. When he was only twelve, he achieved a brief world-wide notoriety as the writer of the Hong-Kong-King-Kong computer virus, which wiped out the operational abilities of twelve percent of the planet’s computers in a single day, freezing up the systems and replacing them with a picture of a gorilla beating its chest, swiped from the 1980s Nintendo Donkey Kong game. Although he was just old enough for criminal prosecution, he was spared any kind of juvenile prison sentence because he was talent-spotted by the Pan-Asian space program. He worked in China until he was nineteen. Then, like Corazon and Kaneda, he relocated to the US to work on the Icarus project. His extreme talent for mathematics is also the cause of his mistake on the mission. He is unwilling to give the role of recalculating the changed flight trajectory to Icarus, because he is afraid to delegate such an important task to anyone, or anything, else. This decision is not born from arrogance. It is simply the safest option from his point of view—he knows the limits of his own parameters, and feels more comfortable if all variables are known to him, and under his direct control. His closest friend out of the crew is Mace. Trey is not married, has no partner, and no children. When he sleeps, he dreams of number sequences.

__________

#sunshine #sunshine 2007 #danny boyle #capa #cassie #trey #searle #mace #kaneda #harvey #corazon

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incarnateirony · 8 days

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The thing that’s hardest for me to understand is the terminology you use, maybe it’s because I didn’t follow everything and missed details, but references to names, rituals, events and the mystical way of explaining the steps almost non-linearly made it everything difficult. It would be a lot, but if you could explain at least the most important parts step-by-step, with clear terms and explaining it chronologically and all the terminology before getting really into it, would be nice.

"Almost nonlinearly" is a funny observation, as ultimately the trick I am using is something modern science addresses as Nonlinear Retroactive Consciousness, a theory by nobel prize winning Penrose and man, trust, I survived a shooting in only one waveform of it, I understand this and now naturally live it in a way people can't understand.

So let me shorthand the idea: Pretend thinking works faster than we grok in a sense it literally comes from the future; usually in milleseconds, but there are ~theories of longer bootstraps; unchosen forms collapse and main observed timeline is chosen. Into the universe we know. But events sometimes casually called Quantum Immortality happen where someone basically Memento Mori sees how they die Final Destination, but avoid it.

The ideas are these moments, for example, are Retroactive Consciousness in the immediate, but on a grander and near ~divine scale it reaches beyond our understanding of what kind of directive can sustain without collapse, like running multiple game files. We already know the human brain saves three slightly different copies of the same memory for example. So that. And one day you walk into the memory version of your appartment that is missing a particular plug in the wall and uh, huh? I guess it was always like that I'm. Fuckin. Trippin.

It's kinda like you feel like you're in a dream or derealized for a second. You look around. What the fuck? On god i had a light plug in the wall. right fucking here. I've lived here for two years. And it's fucking gone. Am I losing my mind bob? Nobody came in my place Ted? What the genuine fuck is there a reason we would all hallucinate me having a light plug right fucking here?

Those moments. The.. glitch in the matrix ones that make you feel totally insane but if you are, so is everyone you know. Consider that weird effect from this kind of casual observation, importance, choices, whatever, determination? in the jelly?

That is the best way to summarize that.

But what if the universe, and us observing it, and it reacting, was as if god was having one giant DID/schizophrenic psych break into self-creating infinity after he went "HUH?" in conflicted un-nothing, basicaly?

Open Jung volume 9, you will find a plot similar to the end of Supernatural, and yet he fathered psych; but we are barely allowed to whisper of him, and rightfully many of his students went mad. Looking at my blog early this year, as I did what I did, in magnitude I did, I can only credit myself for being able to not only recover, but see past my local grudges into what called me so.

Pretend... like generations are like hands of god growing from its lessons or failures, sometimes weighted one way or another for generations.

There is power in the word kind like in the start of the bible, or any hermetic work, which was a lot of my early weaving; I mostly disassociated self from a rightful voidwalker state I had, I screamed, I checked tags like pinned topics to find where my own voice raised, like fingers in the modern generation. If I called as hermes arm then I was finding my fingers each and every one and learning how to talk with each of them.

When in early January you thought (and were half correct) I lost my mind going "STFU I DONT CARE ABOUT SPN RN I DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT TIMELINE IM IN" this was legitimate; the idea is, summarily, like retroactive, fractal, moon phase based shattering of consciousness attributers to update in the fragmented messages I was getting, both densely during the event but littered in weird arrays years before. This is how retroactivity works, especially when approaching source.

All the spiral charts we talked about. I am, I confess, dangerously close to where the funnel gets very narrow, children. I am paying a price for what I dabbled in, but will make sure it becomes something greater yet still even after, but I just---it is one of many pieces and parts and fandoms I have raised between the cracks one way or another, for decades.

I really like it here.

I have seen a version I can be old and gray. I already paid my price, in weird reverse, and now spraying over political fields.

I do not know what else to say. My ex used to be Athena or Freyja in closest aspect, lost her mind after I left due to her own insanity over Lemons that would need its own backstory; made a cult to my old ideas without realizing it, refused to stop or take it down, antagonized it during critical times; she clawed herself bald; she tried to bring it to court and failed; just every self defeating failure while falling thousands in therapy refusing to look at the truth of why she can't let me go and who is on her altar, even when I told her, just stop this.

It made a catastrophic blowout of... i dunno. tv show proportions of the stars just right, and her stupidity just right, my years of study and escaping the system just right, all the global events just right to set it off over a decade after the last time she did this (and I clearly forgave her between)

It's all thus been about restoring divine feminine imbalances going on, hence my so called queen systems, what I post from "VA", the Great Goddess who works with me as her peer at a goddamn illuminati confirmed level, and so on.

Each and all of these parts demand their own understanding of how things were confirmed or happened or got us here, all I can say is:

QAnon is a giant psyop among psyops, partner to one done on silicon valley about AI, mixing mech and mysticism into the things like Claudebot my old game material infested, or whatever, the great game, xorvintaal, digital zarathustra, fucking whatever. But Qanon had been fucking with dark tree forces, azazel, others were involved, fucking. mess. if you want more details can also review this chapter, literally azazel got into it with me from a former placid near botlike Qanon account, whatever.

Their entire messaging comes from Q, source, the idea all the gospels came from the same source, reduced to ideas like Q vs K, Qaballah, Qadistu, those spellings etc, they just got it all fucked up.

"VA" is literally "Q" in that sense, but is not QAnon, and is helping me Boil The 4Chan Pepe Frogs on a cosmic level while we fight back to shuffle the deck, replace biden, and try to have the eagle lift the woman from the desert this fine revelations.

DRASTIC SUMMARIES YET SIMPLE TRUTHS.

Highlight what you want to "huh naw you don't mean that?" if you want. Ask for expansions of whatever parts. Truly, again, ask a man to explain his lifetime coming to a point.

Try "Why does Aaron have the godfather of blue hair and pronouns the corporate barnburner the video game avatar" let's start there.

youtube

#piratecandy

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jonathankatwhatever · 1 year

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It��s 18 Sept 2023, and I literally saw transcendental numbers as those which don’t construct grid squares, because polynomials construct grid squares. This is true in higher dimensions because those construct. Oh, that’s an opportunity I almost missed: the construction is seen in D5, in pentagonal, because each of the 1-0Segment lines is orthogonal to the Triangular and to the gs. It is, after all, a 1-0Segment. The process of Recombinance sorts all the possible constructions, those that can’t happen are not the pentagonal solution.

It’s difficult to keep on track here because this understanding appeared vividly in my head while I was involved in a sexual fantasy with you. I needed to get that out. So maybe I can focus better.

The idea of Recombinance is that every possible permutation exists, and thus there are Pathways which connect to Ends. Those Ends are represented in gs process by the number forms we’ve identified, with the transcendentals encompassing the algebraic, meaning the polynomial.

In other words, and this is really exciting, the main mathematical concern I’ve had in my mind since I first ran across the idea that all this ‘calculation’ could occur, needed to occur, is solved because we do identify the exact number forms we need.

I want to go through a list of some transcendental numbers to translate them. I mean to show why they’re not going to create a polynomial gs space.

I also have a tab open about New Foundations, so I hope to look the foundations of set theory later today.

So, the intuition and the dream I would articulate as though it was clearly just a fantasy is actually true. And I can define ‘true’ mathematically. We can define decision problems too. No wonder I’m a bit dizzy.

——————-

I’m seeing transcendentals as a bridge to concepts like Not and the expansion of Not space in the enclosing gs. We also resolve Curry’s paradox and the entire conception of types, both in general terms about resolution of 0Space within 1Space and in mechanics, meaning that an Extent which terminates without becoming tangible relates to the intangible might have beens, maybes, can’ts, and so on. All within D4 gs, all over I//I, over D4-3//3-4 and D3-4//4-3.

That isn’t as clear as it could be yet. And I need to think through an aspect of lambda calculus that leaped out at me but which disappeared.

————————

I can’t find an issue to squabble with in lambda calculus. You can see why the problem of truth arises, when everything is gs construction, that there are layers, as show in L-counts, which means we’re saying truth does have a ring to it. That means we can count L-counts and come up with evens, which finally makes sense. That is, counting along the szK is counting, from the counting numbers to the reals, and that is always counting the L-counts. A count of szK4 is thus L7, which invokes CM28 in quadrants. A count of szK4 is also a count of IC, so this says each IC has its representation in fCM. That is interesting in at least 2 ways. One is 36-28-36, which interestingly runs 24-28 because of the 6 and 7 counting. Another is that when reduced or expanded, this connects appearance and disappearance. Examples are the gravitational constant and Planck’s constant because both express CM64 disappearing into the next as a reduced CM28. That gives pairings which include that CM28 or CM2.8. Remember the power of 10 is SBE3+1, and that means Pathways which connect the layers.

This means each IC, which means each Thing, because each Thing is in IC, which is any Thing in relation to a non-specified other Thing, and that naturally thus expands to the larger meaning in which it acts as CM28. That literalizes the existence of a Thing made across a pairing, which is totally unexpected and one of the most important things I can imagine coming up with.

This little process, which took 9 minutes because I looked at my phone, was intense and really felt smart. That means it should feel obvious, if not easy. Say it: CM28 literalizes the existence of any Thing generated across a pairing, from all but one way to all but the other, like series of sliders for adjusting editable dimensional values. And this literalization means it counts ‘down’ or solves to this Thing which is in IC.

And I thought I’d never be able to get how this works.

It’s been raining all day, with a bunch of downpours. My eyes are half asleep.

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uesp · 3 years

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Theory: Todd is the sleeping Godhead that we all talk about. Also he achieved absolute CHIM

You're definitely free to come up with whatever theory on that you like, but if you're genuinely curious, I would say you're a bit off from the intended takeaway.

Trying to figure out who the Godhead is a bit of a self-defeating exercise. In fact, to get a bit ahead of the point I'm going to make, it's often easier to describe the One by what he is not. If you're looking at the rare in-series mentions of the Godhead (most of the uses of "godhead" are actually referring to more generic godhood, which is also a more modern form of "godhead"), you come up with two mentions of the Godhead, and only one of them describes the Godhead at all.

The eyes, once bleached by falling stars of utmost revelation, will forever see the faint insight drawn by the overwhelming question, as only the True Enquiry shapes the edge of thought. The rest is vulgar fiction, attempts to impose order on the consensus mantlings of an uncaring godhead.

From Waking Dreams of A Starless Sky

The Godhead is uncaring. And that is basically the depth of actual text on the Godhead. If you go with sources that did not appear in the game, you'll do a bit better, but not really to any satisfying degree. So how do we get a satisfying answer? We escape the confines of the rare and deliberately esoteric mentions of this part of the lore and look at its real-world inspiration. Speaking for myself, the best summary of this part of the lore I ever read is:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism

Sincerely, after reading that and its associated articles, I went from "wow this is all a bit complex" to "alright, this is surprisingly straightforward". To tangent slightly, while there are numerous fan writings that try to explore these concepts, and I do enjoy a lot of them, I find that some of them often have trouble expressing what it all actually means because they often restrict themselves to the trappings of TES. We're going to remove those trappings, and see if it helps.

If you want more help, here is how I mentally tie some TES lore topics to its real world counterpart.

The Godhead is the Godhead (Monad)

CHIM is Gnosis

CHIM has been described as the secret syllable of royalty. It is best understood as a state of being which allows for escape from all known laws and limitations. It is the process of reaching some sort of epiphany about the nature of the universe and one's place in it, leading to a simultaneous comprehension of the full scope of existence as well as one's own individuality.

Gnosis is the common Greek noun for knowledge. It is best known from Gnosticism, where it signifies a spiritual knowledge or insight into humanity's real nature as divine, leading to the deliverance of the divine spark within humanity from the constraints of earthly existence.

Amaranth is Emanationism

The Tower touches all the mantles of Heaven, brother-noviates, and by its apex one can be as he will. More: be as he was and yet changed for all else on that path for those that walk after. This is the third key of Nu-mantia and the secret of how mortals become makers, and makers back to mortals.

Emanationism is an idea in the cosmology or cosmogony of certain religious or philosophical systems. Emanation, from the Latin emanare meaning "to flow from" or "to pour forth or out of", is the mode by which all things are derived from the first reality, or principle. All things are derived from the first reality or perfect God by steps of degradation to lesser degrees of the first reality or God, and at every step the emanating beings are less pure, less perfect, less divine. Emanationism is a transcendent principle from which everything is derived, and is opposed to both creationism (wherein the universe is created by a sentient God who is separate from creation) and materialism (which posits no underlying subjective and/or ontological nature behind phenomena being immanent).

Anu and Padomay and their derivatives are Aeons

Lorkhan is the Demiurge

Lorkhan, the Missing God, is the Creator-Trickster-Tester deity present in every Tamrielic mythic tradition. He is known as the Spirit of Nirn, the god of all mortals. Names for versions or aspects of Lorkhan include Lorkhaj (the Moon Beast) in Elsweyr, Lorkh, the Spirit of Man, the Mortal Spirit, or the Sower of Flesh to the Reachmen, Sep in Hammerfell, Sheor in High Rock, Shor in Skyrim, and Shezarr in Cyrodiil. He convinced or contrived the Original Spirits (et'Ada) to bring about the creation of the Mundus, upsetting the status quo—much like his (figurative) father Padomay is usually credited for introducing instability, and hence possibility for creation, into the undivided universe (or the Beginning Place).

In the Platonic, Neopythagorean, Middle Platonic, and Neoplatonic schools of philosophy, the demiurge is an artisan-like figure responsible for fashioning and maintaining the physical universe. The Gnostics adopted the term demiurge. Although a fashioner, the demiurge is not necessarily the same as the creator figure in the monotheistic sense, because the demiurge itself and the material from which the demiurge fashions the universe are both considered consequences of something else. Depending on the system, they may be considered either uncreated and eternal or the product of some other entity.

The word demiurge is an English word derived from demiurgus, a Latinised form of the Greek δημιουργός or dēmiurgós. It was originally a common noun meaning "craftsman" or "artisan", but gradually came to mean "producer", and eventually "creator". The philosophical usage and the proper noun derive from Plato's Timaeus, written c. 360 BC, where the demiurge is presented as the creator of the universe. The demiurge is also described as a creator in the Platonic (c. 310–90 BC) and Middle Platonic (c. 90 BC – AD 300) philosophical traditions. In the various branches of the Neoplatonic school (third century onwards), the demiurge is the fashioner of the real, perceptible world after the model of the Ideas, but (in most Neoplatonic systems) is still not itself "the One". In the arch-dualist ideology of the various Gnostic systems, the material universe is evil, while the non-material world is good. According to some strains of Gnosticism, the demiurge is malevolent, as it is linked to the material world. In others, including the teaching of Valentinus, the demiurge is simply ignorant or misguided.

I think that by seeing these concepts side by side it will help make sense of it all. You can definitely research this further, and argue that specific parts of the lore are more directly related to other concepts, but from my limited understanding of theology/philosophy, this is a framework for understanding what the lore was based on, and the ideas that might otherwise go unconnected. If you can do better than me here, by all means, be better than me.

But this takes us to the secret question within all of this: How does this effect the setting? The answer to that is that it really doesn't. Knowing that the setting of The Elder Scrolls is the material world created by the Demiurge, separating its inhabitants from the Godhead, doesn't really change anything. After all, you can literally say the exact same thing about our world. The presence of these concepts in The Elder Scrolls setting should change how you appreciate it in roughly the same way that this school of thought existing in our own world changes your view on our setting.

If you thought this was interesting, I certainly agree with you. If you think this is all a bit too much, and don't want to think about it anymore, you won't be missing out on much by ignoring it going forward. If you want to explore different theories on this, you’re definitely free too, I hope you enjoy exploring your own thoughts on this subject.

#UESP #The Elder Scrolls #Lore #Real Life Lore

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overthinkingfandom · 3 years

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Cards on the Table - Breaking down the tactics in L'manburg Independence

/rp /dsmp

Much has been said in the fandom about L'manburg's independence. It is, after all, arguably the most important moment in DSMP's history, as the rest of the story wouldn't have existed without it.

In light of the recent anniversary of it, yes I know I’m late, I wanted to throw my hat in the ring and add something to the discussion surrounding it. However, as the morality of the situation has been discussed to death I'll be taking a slightly different approach to it.

Due to the nature of the DSMP's medium, the story has many unique quirks. One of those quirks is how realistic the tactics used in the story's portrayal of politics are. The independence conflict is a great example of it. While on the surface things seem to be rather simplistic in nature, there's a lot more going on that’s less obvious.

Both Wilbur and Dream are brilliant politicians who get to show both their strengths and weaknesses in dealing with an equally skilled opponent in this encounter. There’s actually quite a bit to go into, despite their interactions being so short.

When most people think about the L'manburg's independence, they think about the moment the declaration has been written up and the subsequent declaration of war. While this moment is certainly iconic, it's not really all that impactful in the grand scheme of things. Both declarations are the culmination of decisions that have been made beforehand. It's the moment when those decisions were made that really influenced things.

Conveniently, Wilbur and Dream only hold a single conversation about L'manburg before the declarations are drawn up, so we don’t need to look far in order to figure out where those decisions were formed.

Wilbur has been working on L’manburg, collecting materials and building the wall surrounding it, for almost an hour when he spots Dream lurking. “Get [Dream] into the VC, I need to talk with him. He’s the leader of the other nation, I think we need to have a congress.” (52:44)

Dream: “Hello?”

Wilbur: “Hello Dream. Welcome to our great nation of L’manburg.”

Dream: “L’manburg?”

Wilbur: “Yes. We are seceding from Dream SMP. This is our own server now. This area, just this part [between the walls of L’manburg], is our server.”

Wilbur doesn’t waste any time before getting right down to business and talking about the matter at hand. However, the way he speaks about it here and in the rest of the conversation is fairly interesting. Wilbur is talking about L’manburg as if it’s something which already exists. They are seceding. This is their land. This conversation is merely a courtesy to give Dream a formal notice of their separation.

Yet, a bit later Wilbur shows he knows they need Dream’s acknowledgement in order for L’manburg to be its own entity. Independence is not a concrete thing that can just be taken or created on one person’s whim, after all. It only exists when the people with power agree it exists.

Wilbur: “Dream, basically all we want from you is just acknowledgement that we are an independent nation now. That’s all we need.” (56:20)

So if Wilbur knows they aren’t independent yet, why is he talking like that?

It’s because he’s using a salesman technique called an Assumptive Close. Instead of posing it as a question and putting the choice of agreeing or disagreeing in Dream’s hands, Wilbur acts as if it’s already true and leaves the burden of challenging his claims on Dream’s shoulders. He even moves on to ask secondary questions on how Dream feels about having embassies in his land (and notably he frames it as a question, unlike how he frames the topic of L’manburg’s independence) as if L’manburg is already a political entity.

Wilbur: “Dream, I’ve got a proposition for you. How do you feel about having Tommy’s land being an embassy? Like it’s an enclave in your own land.” (59:01)

Wilbur’s use of this technique has an interesting side effect in that it signals to Dream Wilbur is taking a non-compromising position in this negotiation. In essence saying “L’manburg is independent, take it or leave it.”

A non-compromising position is the game theory term for when someone goes, "I'm going to do that, this is going to happen and nothing can dissuade me from this course of action." It's a strong tactic which forces everyone to react to that person's position, reducing the others' options into a binary of either accepting that position or rejecting it.

This is a very common tactic and various manifestations of it can be seen all over history and media. From Martin Luther who refused to recant or compromise with his famous words of “Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise” to groups who cultivate a "with us or against us" mentality to heroic characters who say they would die before giving in to whatever Evil the story focuses on.

This is the situation Dream is facing here. He can either accept Wilbur's assertion that L'manburg is an independent entity by either encouraging them or even doing nothing, or he can reject Wilbur's assertion by acting against it.

As we all know, he ended up choosing the second option but what were his considerations for doing so?

For that we would need to know what his goal was here, something we don't really get a sense of from his conversation with Wilbur. However, he ends up stating what it was in a later conversation with Skeppy.

(Emphasis added by me and wasn’t part of the original dialogue.)

“Everyone can build wherever they want. [L’manburg] just decided to say that they get to determine where they can build and we can’t and we said well no, you can’t do that. And that’s what the whole war was over.” (31:44)

“[L’manburg] can’t tell us that we can’t go in their land. That’s all we wanted to say. That they’re not independent, they are a part of the Dream Team SMP. They’re just a delusional, small part." (34:26)

Dream lies a lot, so just because he says something doesn't mean it's necessarily true. However, this seems to be genuine. Dream has no problem telling Skeppy “we burned down their houses and blew up the whole land.” (32:36) later on in the conversation, so we can rule out that he's trying to paint himself in a better light, and there aren't really any other reasons for him to lie to Skeppy here about this.

When looking at Dream's options with his goal we can see the choice is pretty much a no-brainer.

Accepting is a total lose scenario for him. Not only will it fail to fulfill his goals, it would actively encourage the sort of behavior he doesn't want to happen, as Wilbur would set a precedent that so long as someone insisted hard enough and implied Dream is a bad person he would fold in negotiations and give them what they want.

Rejecting gets him far closer to his goal of railing against L’manburg’s exclusion. Going to war means he has to invest much more effort and resources into his reaction than if he just accepted as well as deal with the risks any war has, however the sheer difference in ability between Dream's side and Wilbur's side make the risk minimal.

Going to a war he’s pretty sure he can win VS encouraging the sort of thing he disapproves of, isn’t really a hard choice.

This is actually the result of a mistake on Wilbur's part. CC!Wilbur called his character naive (37:49) and he's not wrong. Wilbur has a tendency to act as he wishes and not take into account that people might disagree or retaliate. We see it with him saying they could just ignore the Americans (1:51:17) or during the elections when he told Quackity his scheme and got blindsided by Quackity deciding to run against him.

Historically, non-compromising positions worked best when the person who used it made sure rejection would be more costly than acceptance in one way or the other. In essence, narrowing down the options for others even more and leaving them only with acceptance.

Wilbur may have managed to wipe off the table all other options and put pressure on Dream to accept with his use of Assumptive Close, but he didn't do anything to prevent Dream from rejecting. In fact, it seems like Wilbur didn't even consider it as a valid possibility as he outright dismissed it when Dream brought it up as an option.

Dream: “What happens if the rest of the server decides to take over your land?”

Wilbur: “They can’t. It’s literally not how servers- Dream you’re supposed to be smart man, that’s not how servers work. You can’t just take over another person’s server.” (54:33)

But, you may be asking, if it was better for Dream to go to war against L'manburg rather than grant them independence, why did he end up giving into their desire for independence in the war? Wouldn't it have been better if he just saved everyone the trouble and gave it to them when they asked for it the first time? Or maybe Dream’s obsession with Tommy and his discs is just that strong?

We can find the answer to all those questions at Punz’ video where he shows the behind the scenes of the independence war, including some of the planning which went into it from the Dream Team’s side of the war. Specifically, this quote:

Dream: “[The L’manburgians] are never gonna give up. So then in the end the resolution will probably just be, we won but they can think whatever they want, we’re just going to ignore them because they’re essentially like- You want to think you’re independent? You’re not, you’re still part of the SMP, but if you want to think you’re independent, you can.” (9:04)

“They’re never gonna give up.”

Whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter, as this is what Dream thinks and so this is what dictates his actions. Perhaps he’s overestimating his opponents here, or maybe he’s talking about how even if L’manburg is defeated this time they would try again for independence in the future. In either case, it’s clear Dream thinks the best case scenario for him - completely preventing people from fighting for L'manburg's independence - is impossible.

So, he tries for the second best case. If he can’t prevent L’manburg, he’s going to allow it but only under Dream’s terms. That’s what his “they can think whatever they want” line is all about. He intends on giving them token independence here, something which would satisfy them but wouldn't pose a real threat. Which is exactly what he ends up offering them during the bow duel.

Dream: “Let me just clarify: if you win, we grant L’Manburg independence.”

Tommy: “Alright.”

Dream: “But we recognize it still as a part of the Dream Team SMP.”

Wilbur: “That’s fine, that’s a fine condition.” (40:54)

The token independence thing didn’t work out so well for him. L'manburg quickly grew to be seen as an entity separate from Greater Dream SMP by everyone, and so Dream was forced to concede and treat it as one as well.

However, despite this part of his plan failing, overall the independence war was a glowing success for Dream.

By giving L'manburg independence after winning the war, Dream sent a very clear message. L'manburg only gets to be independent so long as they stay on Dream's good side. If they don't adhere to the terms Dream sets out for them? He can and will kick their asses, as the war so aptly demonstrated.

This message is received loud and clear. During his entire presidency Wilbur went out of his way to treat Dream with respect and try not to piss him off. Something he clearly demonstrates a number of times, like when he asked if he should call Dream “king Dream” (59:08) or during the railway skirmish (24:16).

In fact, it can be argued that this message lasted all the way up to Tubbo's presidency. Unlike Quackity, who was perfectly fine with starting a fight with Dream, Tubbo knew first hand what a war against Dream looks like. He knew that they could not win a war against him, especially in their weakened state at the time, and that influenced his decision.

As Dream once said: "L'manburg can be independent but it can't be free."

#dsmp analysis #c!dream #c!wilbur #strategist c!dream #dreblr #dsmp #analysis #game theory stuff

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fandomofhappiness · 2 years

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It's actually really sad to realize that Milo Murphy's Law finally found its ending as an animated series, and we're unlikely to ever see a continuing. Recently, I wrote why did this could happened to MML, but I think it’s obvious: the viewer’s attention is captured more and more often by animated series with a linear narrative, with a full-fledged big story, where each character has time and the opportunity to open up.

I am a big supporter of such stories, because I have always been annoyed by fillers - by those non-plot episodes where we watch a slice-of-life of main character (ok, I wasn’t big fan of anime, I’m more fan of cartoons from Disney, Cartoon Network and Nickelodean). And after all, both ‘Phineas and Ferb’ and MML are exactly this kind of filler-TV show, and I'm sad that a lot of characters remained undiscovered, I mean, those who didn’t get their special moments to understand why they are in the show, why do we need to watch them falling or rising (Melissa’s dad, Brick and Savannah, Neal and Sara’s relationship, Murphy’s law itself). We could only sympathize with the main characters, find out their motivation, their life.

But in MML show is still so much to uncover!

So many interesting locations and situations that could be developed into a full-fledged story or even several arcs for the main and secondary characters!

We didn’t really learn anything about the past of Cavendish and Dakota, what they were like in childhood, what dreams they had, their hobbies and internal dialogues.

Oh my god, even the fact of Time Travel is taken for granted in the show - there is no dealing with age problems, depression among employees sensing the passage of time, some kind of disconnection from the real sense of time - so much drama can be rolled up here, oh, Jesus Christ.

What I definitely won’t forgive the creators for is that in 2 seasons they never found an opportunity to reveal the Time Travel Bureau: the hierarchy, structure, terms of employment, preparation (physical and mental). They had a simple explanation: there are agents like James Bond, and there are, well, cleaners of alien trash. C’mon, they have a fucking tribunal there!

Probably, I would like to end with a wish for those few fans who remained with MML, to find motivation to draw, write texts, covers, create memes for the show - this is how we do not let it die, but keep it in our hearts. Maybe if I was an English speaker, I’d write fanfiction. Therefore, if I’ll have some inspiration and time, I will throw in here my headcanons (we don’t have that much canon), theories and just thoughts about the locations and characters that interest me. Who knows what it will turn into.

#milo murphy's law #mml #vinnie dakota #balthazar cavendish #Milo Murphy #phineas and ferb #disney #cartoons

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softyoongiionly · 4 years

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For Whom the Bell Tolls

Just outside the boundaries of your town, deep within the trenches of the forest sits a massive tower made from smoke-stained ivory. Decrepit and ominous, it looms over your town like a warning- like a shadow...

There are opposing rumors as to what resides in the tower.

One of them, the one that just so happens to appeal to you the most, is that there is a deity living in that tower.

The one who knows.

The one who blesses and curses the deserving and offers wisdom that no mortal can.

And now, faced with the imminent demise of your family- you have no choice but to seek answers in the darkness.

What, in god’s name, will you find?

Pairing: Jimin x Reader

Genre: demi-god! au, demi-god! Jimin, mythology, slight angst, smut, fantasy

Word count: 8k (THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PWP)

Warnings: likely inaccurate representations of greek mythology lmao, unprotected sex (wrap it up plz), mentions of violence/death, slightly spooky??? allusions to corruption and murder (non-explicit), JIMIN (cause he’s always a warning), probably a messy plot cause I went feral with this one. parts are unedited oops.

A/N: i have nothing to say. this was supposed to be demon porn and now we have a completely new au. SOMEONE PLEASE STOP ME. okay anyways,,,, i love u.

Corruption.

It ran rampant through your town like the plague, devouring everything in its path. One right after another, you have seen it swallow those who you had come to respect; good town folk, who at one time, moved through the world with a moral compass stronger than the one you felt you possessed, had now fallen ill to the disease.

And you understood...to an extent. The universe was not a benevolent dealer. It randomly assigns cards to its patrons and cares not about the outcome- or the losses. You understood that sometimes people were simply without a winning hand.

But the need to win was still present.

However, your town was spoiled with a type of greed that wafted through the streets and turned everything to mold. Neighbor betraying neighbor, partner betraying partner- even mother’s betraying their children...

All to please one man...

Lord Instinctus was the ruler of your province. Born into nobility, he took over the position after his father passed away and began turning the tides in his favor. Taxes were raised, work hours following suit and, harsh punishments were administered to anyone who dared questioned the new system. He forced your town to pledge their loyalty to him on the day he took over and sent ‘enforcers’ to hide out in the town in search of any signs of rebellion.

However, his cruelty was not unique. Too many men have followed the path paved before them and suckled at the teet of avarice, until they were compelled to out do one another.

To outkill one another...

What made Lord Instinctus unique was the fact that he had never shown his face before. During his initiation into the noble court, the townspeople were given blindfolds and told to face away from their Lord and simply listen. Few people broke the rules but, the ones who did were immediately executed.

You still remember the shudder that ran through your body as you heard the sound of your townspeople hitting the pavement. From that point on, the tone was set. Insubordination means death; the terms were simple.

The lack of knowledge and the possibility of death didn’t stop speculation from blooming. In fact, the appearance of the Lord was essentially the usual topic of conversation at every pub on the main street. After the freeing of spirits, both liquid or otherwise, the rumors begin pouring into the atmosphere.

“He’s probably horribly deformed...”

“Inbreeding is common amongst the nobility; it would make sense...”

“My cousin walked by the villa the other day, he said Lord Invictus had a tail!”

“A tail you say?! So is he some sort of hybrid?!”

“Oh please, that’s preposterous- he's probably just hideous...”

You bite your bottom lip, as you wipe the whiskey from the chestnut countertop, resisting the urge to smirk. Bartending was certainly not a glamorous job but, it paid your taxes and helped put food on the table for you and your family.

Glamorous it was not but, amusing it definitely was.

“I bet you he still beds a new woman every night though...”

“A pretty face ain’t worth more than all that gold he has aye?”

“Maybe he’s cursed...”

“That wouldn’t surprise me either- I hear noble families make deals with the magic folk all the time.”

“If you all want to know so bad, why don’t you just pay the tower a visit?”

With that meager suggestion, the bustle of the pub comes to halt- all eyes now on the man who mentioned a topic that is normally banned from public spaces.

“What? You can’t tell me you haven’t wondered what was up there...”

“We know what’s up there-”

“Or rather- who's up there.”

It’s said to be the home a monster.

The tower was used as a prison for the most dastardly of criminals. For years, just before the establishment of your town, it served as a last resort for the rotten underbelly of society. Countless lives were taken, madness ensued- until the revolution came. The tower was set aflame by revolutionaries but for whatever reason, it did not crumble.

The ivory merely sizzled and turned gray and then over time, it turned black. For years it was abandoned until one day, just after sunset, light emanated from the tower once more. Onlookers who were near the building went inside to see if some vagrant had moved in.

And they never returned...

Several spiritual advisors have visited the town, including religious figures from various faiths, and they have all arrived at the same conclusion: a demon has taken residence in the tower. Despite the efforts to bless the building, the light comes on every evening.

Thus, it is assumed that the demon remains unharmed.

“What about Mrs. Jeon? She left offerings for the beast and her son was cured of the plague the next morning.”

“Or Mr. Kim- he left one as well and found gold in his backyard that very night...”

“You aren’t suggesting there is a benevolent being in that tower, are you? Should I remind you of how many disappearances have occurred?”

There are opposing rumors you suppose.

One of them, the one that just so happens to appeal to you the most, is that there is a deity living in that tower.

The one who knows.

The one who blesses and curses the deserving and offers wisdom that no mortal can.

“Hey here’s a thought- how about Jacob tests his theory eh? Why don’t you go down and find out yourself? Report back to us with your findings...”

The pub erupts with laughter now, the uneasiness slowly melting away from the room.

You elect to keep your thoughts to yourself, as you finish up counting the money you had made from that evening- making sure to leave a portion for the incoming team.

The bite of the winter wind is harsh and untamed as it scraps across your skin, causing you to hurriedly put your coat on. It feels like winter never ends in your town and if it weren’t for the fact that your family stocks up throughout the year, you would be worried where your next meal is coming from.

Walking down the street towards your home, you catch sight of the tower in the distance. The way the windows begin to glow, almost makes you feel like it’s somehow staring back at you- taunting you.

You would be lying if you said it didn’t tempt you.

It always has.

Even as a young girl, you remember being drawn to the infamy, to the danger...

Your mother always told you that being curious was a good thing, that it led the greatest minds of humankind. You kept that with you as you moved through life, trying your best to understand what your purpose was.

But times were hard...

With a malevolent lord hanging over the morale of your town, digging his fingers into the heart and soul of your people and crippling them with eternal debt, it was causing you to look for answers.

And you were beginning to look in some unorthodox places.

Dinner with your family soothes the aching curiosity in your chest as you try and remind yourself of all the things you have to be grateful for. After your meal, you wrestle your little brother into his bed before telling him his favorite bedtime story. Once his eyelids have kissed, you turn out his light and move into the main room to wish sweet dreams upon your parents.

And although the pleasantries are nice, there are a few things throughout the evening that disturbed you.

The limp in your father’s movement.

The blisters on your mother’s hands.

The bags beneath the otherwise unburden gaze of your little brother.

Exhaustion was palpable.

Living beneath the weight of a corrupt leadership will do that to you.

As your head hits the pillow, you can hear your mother murmur in desperation.

“I won’t have enough to pay him this week...what are we going to do?”

“I can work extra hours at the mill- we will figure it out.”

“How could you possibly work any longer-”

You feel your chest twist with guilt as you hear the crack in your mother's voice.

“You’re falling apart my love...if you continue pushing yourself this way, I’m afraid I will lose you and I can’t- I can’t-”

The muffled nature of her cries suggests that your father has pulled her in for a hug, trying to erase the inevitable with his affection.

“We will endure, I promise. Just hang on a little longer.”

With your father’s final words, their conversation begins to die down.

This can’t possibly go on much longer. You might be able to pick up more hours at the pub and, perhaps procure a second job but, the dues will never end.

Your family will never exist for any other reason aside from paying to the noble family.

So you make a decision. Hard work clearly isn’t the answer and revolution would only shed innocent blood. If the practical world had nothing else to offer then, you would seek answers from beyond.

Your parents retired to their rooms shortly after their conversation but, you wait until you’re sure the house has fallen silent before you make your next move. Embarking on this mission would be simple but what lies at your destination is anything but; so, you try to be prepared for the possible outcomes.

Wrapping yourself in the thickest coat you can find, you slip your dagger beneath the onyx material and slowly creep out of your bedroom.

The streets were still bustling with life; your town rarely ever rests and the pubs and shops are open well past midnight.

It might sound like the product of a vibrant town but, it’s mainly due to the ever-present demand for profit.

Limited hours mean limited sales.

Thankfully, no one really notices your presence as you traverse your way down the streets and through the alleyway. The noise echoing from the main street slowly diminishes and makes way for the sound of the wind dancing through the trees. The forest itself does not frighten you. You grew up memorizing it with your father as he taught you the fundamentals or foraging and gardening. The sound of the owls is expected as is the chill that runs up your spine with the increase of the breeze.

However, as you near the tower- fear begins to slither its way into your veins. It’s quite a sickening feeling as it seems to stop you in your tracks but, you push on anyway- determined to finish what you have started.

The wrought iron surrounding the tower is stained with rust, corroded and crackling with age, the creaking of its bars alarms you, stopping you in your tracks and forcing you to look up.

And there it is: the tower.

It stands above you like a menacing giant and although it’s presence should deter you, it doesn’t. Making an effort to be as silent as you can, you slip past the opening in the gate and begin walking up the broken cobblestone pathway.

There is nothing but dirt surrounding the perimeter of the tower and other than the moon, the only light before you is coming from the very top window. It’s glowing but the color isn’t stable- it's as if it were shifting slowly from red to green to blue and then back again. Faced with the wooden French doors, you question the idea of knocking.

If someone truly did live here, it would only be polite...right?

With a shaky hand, you knock three times as loudly as you can. For a moment there is nothing, but just as you ready your hand to knock again, the door groans and begins to slowly creak open.

The already unstable heartbeat in your chest begins to rattle without mercy as you brace yourself for whatever horrible creature might lay on the other side. Instead, however, there is no one.

The door opens entirely to reveal that instead of the simple but filthy interior you expect from an abandoned tower such as this one, there is a rather decadent home. Large marble pillars extend upwards seemingly holding nothing in place while glamorous furniture positions itself through the foray. Everything is cooled tone with greys and shades of blue, black often lining the borders of the funiture. There is no lantern, the moon lighting up the interior of the room just as it led your path up to the door.

The layout doesn’t make sense.

The tower is cylindrical and doesn’t offer enough space for such an open floor plan so, how is it that the inside looks like lavish mansion?

You swallow your fear and newfound confusion as you tentatively look around the expanse of the room.

“Hello?”

Nothing.

You take a deep breath and decide that the likelihood of someone (or something) answering that call is slim, especially given the way you were welcomed into the tower in the first place.

You place your hand inside your pocket, gripping the dagger for good measure before beginning to make your way towards the staircase. The moonlight is sufficient enough at first but for whatever reason, as you begin making your way up the stone staircase, the interior of the tower seems to slowly darken. Your grip on the dagger tightens as you stop walking, frozen in your steps, cursing yourself for embarking on a journey so reckless.

Suddenly, all of the light from the room vanishes, forcing a gasp from your throat. You manage to grip the railing to steady yourself but you have no idea what you are to do next.

And then, someone speaks.

“Well- you’re awfully far from home...aren’t you?”

The sound of the voice rushes through your senses much like the wind did. It’s too sweet for your liking but, it entrances you none the less.

“Who are you?”

As much as you try to steady your breathing, the way your voice cracks, gives you away instantly.

Laughter bounces off the stone walls, sinister and playful all at once before the voice speaks again,

“Don’t you think that’s a question I should be asking you? You are the intruder after all...”

Disembodied or not, the voice makes a valid point. You did walk in unannounced and you most certainly weren’t invited.

“I’m Y/N Y/L/N.” The strength in your voice comes back slightly as you grip the railing a bit tighter, “I came here because- “

“I know why you’re here...” The voice is much closer now, likely positioned at the top of the stairs, “Humans are so predictable; always looking for a handout.”

This offends you greatly and regardless of the amount of danger you might be in, you let the voice know anyway.

“I am not looking for a hand out. My family and I work from sunrise until sunset to make ends meet. I’m here to make an offering- not merely to take whatever miracles that you make.” Stronger and stronger, your voice rises to the occasion, preparing itself to either spar with the beast or scream for help.

“Miracles hm?” Sinister laughter slinks down the staircase, practically teasing the exposed skin of your neck, “Is that what you think I do?”

You swallow the bile that creeps up your throat, “I’ve heard many stories- but I wanted to see for myself. Some of my people claim you’ve blessed them but, the clergy said a demon lived here...”

“Oh?” It rises with inquisition, “And you came anyway? Do I have a heretic in my presence?”

Shaking your head does nothing in the darkness but it’s instinctual, “I don’t believe in demons- at least, not the kind who dwell in abandoned towers.”

“Is there a kind you do believe in then?”

There is something in you that urges you forward, captivated by the sweet sound of the voice above you, desperate to view the owner and desperate to see the moonlight again.

“Hell is nothing but a metaphor and it’s demons all the same. There is plenty of evil here, plenty of suffering- by definition, there is a demon ruling over my town- he is draining us of our resources for his own gain. I couldn’t imagine a more accurate representation.”

Suddenly, you hear the sound of boots clicking slowly and steadily down the stone stairs. You brace yourself, still feeling frozen in your place- wishing to see whoever or whatever is front of you.

“If I did make miracles,” It muses and, now you’re able to discern that it’s only a few steps in front of you, “What exactly would you be offering me in return?”

Taking a deep breath through your nose, you place all your effort into trying to make out whether or not there was an actual owner to this voice. Finally, your eyes adjust enough to see the faint shadow of a figure which appears to be sitting on the second set of stairs.

“Name your terms, I will do my best.”

“Ah ah-” The voice corrects along with a side of twinkling laughter, “That isn’t how this works...”

You’re growing frustrated with the apparent mind games but, you know it’s in your best interest to be patient; you still don’t know what you’re dealing with.

“How does it work then?”

Silence passes through the air for a moment before the voice speaks again, “You must bring me the thing you treasure the most so, that I may know your true intentions- I cannot help you until I can see you properly.”

You snort, “You’d be able to see me if you hadn’t wiped the light from this room...”

Laughter comes again but this time, it’s lower and deepened with suggestion, “I’m not referring to physical sight, human. You might not be able to see in the dark but, I can.”

For whatever reason, its response sounds salacious and riddled with an innuendo that you’re slightly afraid to comment on.

And the reaction it creates within you, only frightens you further.

“I’ve just told you that I barely have enough money to scrape by- I don’t have anything of value to give you.”

“I never asked you to bring me anything of value nor did I ask you to give it away- you’re not listening very well...I don’t know how I’m supposed to help you if you can’t follow instructions.”

It sounds irritated and fond all at once, prompting you to nod immediately, not wanting to upset your only shot at freedom.

“I’m sorry.” You breathe, “I’m just-”

“Don’t lie to me...”

Your gaze strains to try and make out the expression of the figure in front of you but, its futile- the darkness impeding your effort.

“What do you mean?”

“You were going to tell me that you’re scared.” The voice accuses, “But you’re not- even though, you most certainly should be.”

It wasn’t wrong. You should have ran when the door opened on its own, when the lights began to dim, when a voice began speaking to you...

But you didn’t.

You were undeniably intrigued.

“Are you going to hurt me?”

An insidious bought of laughter comes from the figure before it sighs, “Hmmm, maybe a little bit.”

When your lips part with something that resembles shock, the laughter comes again only slowing to a halt for the sound of the figure’s tongue tutting against its teeth.

“You are a curious girl...” It observes, “...promises of harm should not excite you and yet- excitement flows from you anyway. Why?”

It kills you to refrain from denying it but, you have no choice.

“Your voice-” A sigh leaves your lips, “it’s very intriguing.”

Maybe it’s part of the creature's abilities, you think, its voice is the main weapon to lure unsuspecting and vulnerable humans into its clutches. The only question is- what happens once it has you.

“Is it now?” The voice sounds intrigued, “Most humans don’t seem to think so. Are you sure you’re hearing me right, girl? I’ve been told my voice is the thing of nightmares.”

This perplexes you; how could anyone possibly think such a voice was frightening? Despite this creature being anything but human, it sounds very much like a man- a warm and mischievous man who seems hellbent on getting you into bed.

“What does my voice sound like to you?” It asks, a smile in its tone.

You ponder this question for a second, realizing very quickly that you can’t exactly tell this creature that it sounds like it’s trying to seduce you. But still, that does seem to be the only appropriate description.

“Sort of...like a melody.”

Laughter comes again but, this time it’s paired with the moonlight slowly fading back into the tower, covering every surface until it finally reveals the appearance of the figure.

Beautiful.

Not an it but a he...

A man with wings.

On the steps before you, he stands, leaning casually against the railing now. Atop his head is a tousled mop of sapphire hair, just below are his eyes- nearly black and hooded with the same seduction as his voice and cloaking his figure is a black linen ensemble fitted only by the same color corset. His pillowy lips and soft skin would be a masterpiece on their own but coupled with the giant pair of onyx wings protruding proudly from his back- his visuals become simply devastating.

“What do you see?” He smirks, licking over his lips.

Unable to resist, you shake your head in complete awe, all of the sensible words dying before they leave your throat, “You- are you an angel?”

The light allows you to see him now as his head tilts another round of laughter, “Try again...you’re very close.”

Perhaps the clergy was right...

“A demon then...” You resign because despite your previously-held beliefs, if this really was a demon, then you know very well you shouldn’t be dealing with him. “I should go.”

His smirk broadens, “But I thought you didn’t believe in demons?”

“I didn’t but, that’s clearly what you’re alluding to. If a winged man tells me he’s a demon, I think it’s wise that I return home.”

Through your moment of clarity, your desire for him persists- especially now that you see what he looks like. But you know better than to make a deal with a demon, even if you are desperate.

“Do you think the universe is that simple? Angels and demons? Good and evil? You don’t think that maybe- in all of his vastness, there is a chance for the inbetweeners?” He presses and now his black eyes seem to glow, his gaze slightly hypnotic.

Tightening your coat around your body, you stay staring at him for a moment before you respond, “Is that what you are? Something in between?”

He licks his lips, his eyes finally allowing themselves to wander over your figure. There isn’t much of you showing but, he still drinks you up regardless, exposing and exciting you all at once.

“I was sent by the underworld to do business for the gods...” He drops his voice to a near whisper, his gaze burning a hole in you, which now aches to be filled.

You take in a shaky breath through your nose, nodding in understanding, “Did you kill the people who disappeared here? Is that what happens when their judgment goes south?”

He arches his brow, tilting his head with his inquiry- his voice dripping with darkness, “Maybe I did...maybe I didn’t. I don’t see how that’s relevant- especially since you’ve already decided you were leaving. Which of course-” He waves his hand then, the wooden door behind you creaking open, “-you are free to do.”

There is something about him you haven’t touched on but, it’s beginning to eat you up inside. He may be an otherworldly being, possessing the tower like a beautiful virus but, he is starting to look familiar. This of course, is hard to imagine because his beauty is so striking that you don’t see how you could ever forget it. But nonetheless, you feel like you’ve seen him before.

And this is what has kept you frozen.

“Will you not give me any answers?” You border on pleading but, attempt to keep your tone firm.

He chuckles, “You didn’t come to me for answers. You came for help- which I’ve already agreed to give you.”

The supernatural discourse that has transpired, thoroughly distracted you from the reasons for seeking him out in the first place. Your situation had not changed; you were still desperate for money, desperate for justice and desperate for peace.

“You won’t hurt my family...” It’s not a question, and it leaves no room for any other response aside from the one he gives you.

“I won’t.”

Nodding, you glance behind your shoulder towards the door, “I have to go home. I don’t have the item you asked for. I can be back within the hour...”

For the first time, he looks slightly disappointed but as you complete your sentence, he shakes his head, “No. Don't come back tonight.” He insists, “If you wish to do business with me- you must return tomorrow after midnight. I will wait for you at the shoreline.”

This confuses you, “The shoreline? Why can’t we meet here? The water is dangerous after dark.”

The smirk returns to his tender lips, “I know.”

With that, he waves his hand again- causing the door to swing open and slam against the tower walls.

Jumping at the sound, your gaze shoots back behind you before returning to where the creature stood.

But he had vanished.

You have no choice but to heed his requests and rush away from the tower, the curiosity inside you almost too much to bear.

Nothing is out of the ordinary as you walk back home, at least not at first. But when you pass the massive clock tower in the center of town, you realize something strange...

The clock hadn’t moved, not even a second.

You remember very clearly reading the time as you hurried past it on your way to the tower and now, even as you’re staring at it, it stands perfectly still. Until suddenly, without warning, the hands of time begin to move again. The clicking almost startles you, your brain filling with a million questions despite your decision to turn away and return home.

Time had seemingly stood still whilst you were in the tower.

Slipping beneath the covers, you try your hardest to get to sleep despite being bombarded with images of the haunting man you had just encountered.

You know you should be terrified.

You know you should be wary.

But the familiarity of him has possessed you and, you’re determined to understand why.

The next night, with your treasured object tucked securely in your coat, you make your way back to him.

You make sure to check the clock tower before you do, logging the time away for later to see if last night had been more than just a fluke.

12:32am.

The clock tower has never lied but, you’re starting to think it might be influenced by whatever resided in the tower- magic, beast, or otherwise.

As you pass through the many trees, you begin to hear the chaotic crashing of the waves in the distance. The tower may be frightening but, few things could match the malevolent temper of the sea. In fact, you’ve always believed that nothing could. The sea was unrivaled in her cruelty, consuming the world at will, just for the fun of it- you've theorized that she likes the screams. During the day, she simmered- blue and serene, allowing boats to decorate her surface like candles on a birthday cake. At night though, her temper worsens and it’s as if she suddenly remembers all the injustice she has faced. Her waves swell to horrific heights, smashing into the seawalls built around your town, creeping over like a titan looking for vengeance.

You’ve always felt pity for her. It must be hard: being the heart and soul of humanity, being responsible for the very nature of things- only to be forgotten. Only to be mistreated...

Your boots are discarded near the last patch of grass before the sand and, your toes brace themselves icy chill of the sea breeze. You’re especially thankful for the coat now as you suspect that your teeth would have already begun chattering had it not been for the thick fabric protecting you.

The waves haven’t begun their violent dance just yet but, you can sense their temper beneath your feet. They will begin soon.

“The sea-” The voice from the tower is behind you, “it suits you.”

Breathless, you turn to face him and even though you’re more prepared for his beauty than you were last night, it still shocks you.

He’s wearing a black silk gown, that drapes effortlessly off his body, the sleeves made out of French lace and extending well past his fingertips. His wings are shuttered behind him, folded almost modestly against his back.

“Thank you.” It’s the only response you have before you reach into the fold of your coat, “I have the-”

He holds up his hand, his voice commanding but gentle, “Wait. I want you to walk with me first. I don’t like rushing through my business deals.”

Your hand slowly retreats from your coat as you warily look behind you, “You want to walk along the shoreline? I told you, it’s too dangerous- at least for me it is, I don’t exactly have an escape mechanism attached to my back.”

He smirks, his tempting gaze flourishing with fondness you cannot place, “What causes you to mistrust the sea so much? Surely she wouldn’t hurt one of her own...”

Your brow furrows, “What do you mean?”

Extending from the confines of silk, his fingers reach out to you, fluttering with invitation, “I will show you.”

And really, you’d be a fool not to accept.

Interlacing your fingers with his, you feel electricity simmer ever so slightly beneath your skin. You’re assuming it’s from the power that likely resides within him but, you don’t expect it to affect you so much.

The sound of the waves begins to softly roar in the distance but the water isn’t close enough to the shoreline to pose any immediate threat.

Not yet at least...

You begin walking alongside him as he leads you both in the opposite direction of your town border. For quite a few moments, he just gazes at the eternal stretch of sand before you, his soft mouth curved up ever so slightly. He looks pensive and serene all at once and, it confuses you.

“May I tell you a story?”

His request surprises you but, you aren’t really in a position to say no. And if you’re being honest, you really didn’t want to.

“Yes.” You murmur, feeling compelled to keep your volume at a minimum.

He smiles softly to himself, glancing towards the water briefly before beginning.

“The water has many gods...” He speaks softly, letting out a sigh, “Lir, Irish god of the sea, Tefnut, Egyptian goddess of the rain, Amimitl, Aztec god of lakes and fisherman...” His explanation already has you interested. You were taught much of the stories beyond your land but, it had always fascinated you, “The gods of the sea are known for the temperate nature, they often stay away from humans and avoid interfering with the mortal coil. Death by water is merely a request they carry out for the gods of death and destruction and thus, there is goddess who rules over the violence of the sea itself.”

Just as he finishes his sentence, the temper of the sea seems to roar to life, the swollen waves crashing aggressively, still not close enough to reach you.

Not yet at least...

“Cymopoleia, is the goddess of violent sea storms. Poseidon, her father, tasked her with overseeing the malignant waters and tending to the causalities. She was not the creator of the storms but she carried the ability.” He moves through the story as if he has told it a 100 times but he seems captivated by it nonetheless, “When it came time for her to bear a child. She conjured up a spirit from within her very core. She crafted them out of the essence of the sea and placed them inside of clamshell in her palace. She was awaiting the full moon when someone snuck into the depths of the ocean and stole them from her.”

The gasp that leaves your lips cannot be helped, you didn’t realize how engrossed you were until suddenly you recognize the port from another town nearby.

You had been walking awhile.

“Why would someone do that?” You press, shaking your head.

He sends a solemn look your way, “Many thoughtless humans believe that if they capture the essence of a god, they will become one themselves. Foolishly, he opened the clam shell and released the spirit into the world. By the time the goddess found him, it was too late- but she delegated his fate anyway. She took his life beneath the depths of a violent storm and placed a curse upon anyone who shared his bloodline. She made it so that any one of his descendants would bear the physical embodiment of his fate.”

“So, they look like they’ve died at sea?”

He can’t help but smirk, a bit of the darkness you saw at the tower, beginning to creep back. “Indeed. They are horribly disfigured and regardless of their efforts, they all meet the same fate. His lineage believes that if they send enough offerings out to sea or if they build high enough walls, that they will somehow escape their deaths. But of course, this if futile- the goddess vowed that she would continue to collect them until her spirit was returned.”

His story ends and it’s like something clicks within you. Without warning, you squeeze his hand, slowing both of you to a stop, just before the light of the upcoming pier hits you.

“Does this have something to do with my town? Is that why you’re telling me this?”

Lord Invictus certainly fit the description for a descendent of this thief and, although it bores no sense of logic- you have no choice but to believe it anyway.

It all fits together too well...

He turns towards you now, his smirk now a small smile, “It has to do with you Y/N.”

Your brow furrows, “Me? What do you mean?”

He nods to your coat, something otherworldly lingering in his eyes, “I’d like to see what you’ve brought with you now.”

Still riddled with confusion, you reach inside your coat and find that the item you had brought with you (a beaded necklace gifted to you at birth by your parents) had turned into something else.

And now, sitting in the palm of your hand- was a clamshell.

“What is this? This isn’t what I brought to you- I-” You begin to panic, confusion and fear starting to take over, “Did you do this? Did you take my necklace?”

Finally, the sinister smirk returns as his wings begin to unfurl from behind his back. Along with his shift in expression, another danger is brewing very close to you- you can feel it.

The sea is growing irritated and whipping the wind and the water up into a frenzy. As you look toward the water, you have no choice but to look on in horror as you see the beginning of something deadly.

A rogue wave.

The grip on your hand tightens as his extraordinary strength keeps you in place.

“I think it’s time I formally introduce myself-” His voice is loaded with bad intentions but it sounds sweet anyway as he burns his gaze into yours, “My name is Jimin. Son of Tartarus, the god of punishment and Nyx, the goddess of the night.”

Your eyes are wide with desperation, not fully registering what he said before he’s yanking you against his chest and turning you to face the sea. Standing behind you, he unleashes a spell of wicked laughter as his wings unfurl from behind is back to wrap around the both of you, so that the only thing you’re able to see is the wall of water coming for you.

“I have to come to send you home Y/N...your mother has been waiting for you a very long time.”

His arms are wrapped around you now, crushing you against his chest as his wings begin flapping- the wind picking up furiously around you.

“Jimin!” You scream, eyes welling up with tears, “You promised you wouldn’t hurt me! You promised! Why are you doing this to me?!”

He laughs at you, and it isn’t necessarily malevolent but merely amused, as if he in on a joke you weren’t part of.

“Shhhh, quiet down my little sea nymph...” He whispers salaciously into your ear, “...your fate will be painless.”

You’re crying now, digging your nails into his skin, attempting to break free as the massive creature that is the ocean rushes towards you without mercy. The crest of the wave arches above you proudly, the swirling darkness of the water mocking the mere audacity of your existence but, as you brace for impact- it never comes.

Only the darkness does...

And it’s the darkness that consumes you.

“Jimin!” A voice breaks into your subconscious, luring you out of what you hope was a nightmare, “You couldn’t have brought her home without scaring her? She was practically driftwood when she arrived here.”

That familiar twinkle of laughter sounds then and, it forces your eyes open.

“I’m sorry your grace- it's just in my nature.” He defends poorly, still chuckling to himself, “I can’t imagine my brothers are doing much better.”

You are somewhere extraordinary, that much is certain. Above your immediate line of sight is an ornate glass ceiling that seems to glow a cerulean blue. All around you are gold furnishings, each decorated with various moldings of sea creatures.

“She’s awake!”

Your vision, still slightly cloudy, now lands upon a being so beautiful- that you have to blink a few times to ensure you’re seeing the right thing. Draped in blue silk and decorated with gold and pearls, is a woman who looks at you with nothing but love in her eyes.

“Oh my- its really you...”

She seems tentative but, you’re suddenly overcome with joy- filled with an almost cosmic sense of peace.

“Mother!” You cry, rushing off of the bed you were laying on and into her arms.

She takes you in her arms immediately, her skin cool against yours like the tepid waters of the bay. She sniffles, tightening her grip on you,

“I knew you’d come home...I knew one day I would find you.”

And it really doesn’t make much sense does it?

How could your life swing so violently from one direction to the next?

Your life on earth seems so insignificant now...now that you’re back with her.

Cymopoleia- queen of violent sea storms and, your mother.

She explains it all to you, gently stroking your hair and fawning over you.

The spirit in the depths was you. Born into a human body, you were fated to one day meet with the demi-god of darkness, who with a bit of trickery- would return you to your rightful place in the cosmos.

Your mother assures you that your mortal family would be relieved of your memory until it was safe for you to visit them, until the gods of fate decide. In addition, Lord Invictus would be the last of the bloodline to pay for what his ancestor had done and, the fog of greed and corruption- which begin the day you were born, would soon be lifted.

The explanation is long and doesn’t leave you completely fulfilled but, your mother assures you that you have all the time in the world to understand the complexity of the universe.

Hours later, after you’ve had a decent feast, your mother instructs Jimin to escort you to your bedroom.

As he leads you down the hallway towards your chambers, you send a playful glare his way, “So- how much of what you told me was a lie?”

He merely smirks, “None of it.”

You scoff, “Even the part of about your voice? And all that nonsense about excitement and me being curious? You knew all along what was to happen- you just tricked me.”

Jimin chuckles darkly, stopping just outside your bedroom door before turning to you, “The part about my voice frightening people wasn’t a lie, Y/N. My father is the god of punishment, any mortal that hears my voice usually cowers in fear...”

“Is that why I felt so drawn to you? Because you were meant to take me home?”

His smirk broadens, “No...you feel drawn me because you want to fuck me.”

Your mouth goes completely dry at his bold statement but, you are unable to deny it- your fingers suddenly twitching at your side.

“Wh-”

“It’s not your fault really...” He murmurs, his body shifting towards you, “...it’s just the way I was made. I am used to people lusting after me- however,” Jimin reaches out then, to brush his thumb over the swell of your cheek, “-I have never known true lust until I had the pleasure of meeting you.”

“You lust for me?” You whisper, completely drawn up with desire- finally allowing your true nature, the nature of a demi-goddess pour out of your soul.

He licks his lips, his gaze upon you timid as he presses his thumb into your face, “I do.”

You turn to the side suddenly, capturing his thumb between your lips, “Show me.”

It's all it takes: that one phrase of consent being enough to unleash all the urges within him.

You’re inside your chamber seconds later, Jimin clawing at the fabric of your robe, his fingers digging into your skin as he does, his lips latching on to every part of you he can reach.

“I knew the moment you walked into my tower-” He grunts, “I knew- there was no way a mortal could be tempting, so dreadfully seductive.”

You sigh hopelessly, raking your hands through the sapphire tendrils on his head, your lips ghosting along the swell of his cheek, the tail of his brow, the shell of his ear...

“In the underworld...” He’s practically growling now, scratching his nails up the newly exposed skin of your back, “We are never taught to refuse our desires. You were my greatest challenge- it took everything in me not to devour you right there.”

You smirk now, positioning your lips at his ear, “I wouldn’t have known what to do with you though- aren't you glad you were patient?”

He grunts again, pressing his hips against yours defiantly, “Patience is for virtuous gods- “ He doesn't answer your question but, you know that he means yes. In spite of his darker nature, Jimin still believes in doing the right thing.... most of the time.

He has you on the bed moments later, his wings spreading proudly. He’s panting, his eyes completely black with lust as he nudges your legs open, determined to finally taste what he’s been craving.

For the demi-god of darkness, denying his desires for even a second is painful. He aches to fufill them over and over again...

You were certainly no exception.

But you want to keep teasing him...

Reaching down, you spread yourself open for him- feeling the visceral substance of your arousal sticking to your inner thighs.

“What are you waiting for then?” You lean up, grasping your hand behind his neck and staring directly into the abyss that is his gaze, “Defile me...”

Jimin growls, sliding into you instantly, his hands quickly bracing themselves on either side of your head. He smirks as your eyes roll back the sheer pleasure of him inside of you causing your nipples to harden.

“Oh look at that-” He chuckles, his own expression unstable with pleasure, “Are you going brain dead already hm? Is this cock that good?”

Your eyes come back into play as you stare up at him, your hands gripping either side of his face as he starts a power rhythm within you.

This wasn’t meant to last long, the carnal desire too much for either one of you to handle...

Perhaps, if your feelings permitted it- you'd make love another time.

Nodding, you moan as he increases the rhythm, pressing your forehead against his own.

“You feel so good.” You whisper, “I didn’t know it could- oh...” A whimper leaves your lips as he hits that spot inside of you, the pleasure completely ruining your ability to speak.

“Of course you didn’t- you’ve only ever let mortals play with your pretty cunt haven’t you?” He laughs, mocking you and cooing all at once, “And now that I’ve gotten ahold of it, you’re never going to want anyone else. I will ruin you ugh-” He finally breaks, his own brow furrowed with the onslaught of his release as you tighten around him, “-ugh fuck yes. I can feel how badly your cunt wants me- it's like you’re begging me to cum.”

“I want you to cum,” You whisper shakily, kissing at his mouth, “Fill me up please, I need it.”

He growls, kissing you back with just as much fervor, his hips moving so fast that the pleasure fucks with your vision.

“I’m going to make a mess of you, they will smell me on you until I can come back-” He promises, smirking ever so slightly, “and then- I'll paint the inside of you all over again won’t I? Such a masterpiece this cunt will be...and you’ll be all mine, cumming only for me.”

And he wasn’t wrong because, mere seconds later- the two of you are cumming all over one another, ruining the silk sheets with your release and clawing desperately at one another.

With the mutual utterance of your names, Jimin collapses beside you and, moments later- when you get your wits about you, he is ushering you onto his chest.

Sweaty, exhausted and satisfied, you lay together in silence for quite a while.

Until finally you speak, “I’m not quite sure what came over me.”

Jimin chuckles but this time, the sound is much warmer than you’re used to, “Immortal lust, it’s a blessing and a curse but, eternal life has to stay interesting somehow.”

You trace patterns on his chest whilst he covers your body with one of his wings, the feathers teasing at your sensitive skin.

“Did you mean it?”

And he doesn’t even bother asking, he knows exactly what you’re referring to.

“I want you.” He affirms, “If you’ll have me- I felt quite possessive of you then but, I won’t insist on anything you aren’t comfortable with.”

You smile, tracing a heart directly over the spot where his heart would beat, “It fits doesn’t it? You and I?”

If the past few days have taught you anything, it is that sometimes- it is appropriate to succumb to fate. Sometimes, believing in the simplicity of destiny works out. Being with Jimin felt right and, for now, this was enough.

“It does.” His statement is simple but his expression says it all: he is elated.

You fall back into comfortable silence once again before one more pressing question leaves your lips, “Did I hear you mention something about your brothers earlier?”

Jimin nods, his eyes half-closed as he cuddles closer to you, “You did. I have six of them.”

“Are they- like you?” You murmur, unable to stop your curiosity.

He nods again, “They are.”

You think one more question will suffice but, his answer will unfortunately bring about a thousand more, “Are they all on missions too?”

Jimin’s trademark smirk shows itself once again as he snickers, “They are-” He repeats before a great sense of pride comes over his expression...

“I was just the first one to return.”

A/N: should this be a series? asking for a friend...

#ficswithluv #bangtansorciere #jimin #park jimin #bts #bts jimin #jimin smut #jimin x reader #bts smut #bts writing #jimin writing #jimin fanfic #bts au

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hartofhearts · 3 years

Text

Why Tifa is the only person, living or dead, who can resolve Cloud’s crisis

Alternate title: “What really happened in the Lifestream”

Of course the Lifestream scene has been discussed to death within the fandom. While some consider it one of the greatest triumphs of the Cloud/Tifa relationship and the game in general, others are quick to diminish its events and Tifa’s role. “Oh, any other childhood friend character who knew Cloud could do the job.” “Oh, Cloud only needed Tifa as moral support, he could have figured everything out himself.” “Oh, Aerith (maybe +Zack) could have done it by accessing her Cetra/time machine/empath/Planet powers.”

The Lifestream sequence is extraordinarily dense with many subtle visual cues, so there’s a lot to untangle and interpret. But no matter how you slice it, any take which downplays or eliminates Tifa is fundamentally missing the point of this scene, both for the plot and for Cloud’s character arc.

A lot of the confusion stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of what actually needs to happen in the Lifestream and why. Thus, using specific details from the sequence, I’d like to present my take on the following:

Part 1: What Cloud needs to accomplish in the Lifestream to advance the plot

Part 2: Why Tifa is the only person, living or dead, who can resolve Cloud’s crisis, where we will discuss fun things such as:

Why Tifa is the the focus of his greatest flaw

What Tifa’s presence in the Lifestream accomplishes

Part 3: Why those “Tifa-less” fan theories just can’t work

This is a very long ride so let’s get to it!

Part 1: What Cloud needs to accomplish in the Lifestream to advance the plot

Many fans think that all Cloud needs to accomplish in the Lifestream is prove to himself that he existed before the Nibelheim incident. This seems to make sense, as Cloud’s mental break at Northern Crater was due him losing faith that he was truly Cloud Strife of Nibelheim, right?

But that isn’t the only thing that needs to happen. Consider this: Ex-SOLDIER Cloud does believe that he is Cloud Strife of Nibelheim for almost the entirety of the game’s first half. However, Ex-SOLDIER Cloud couldn’t correctly remember the Nibelheim incident back at Kalm, and he occasionally exhibits alarming behavior (his headaches, his attempts on Aerith’s life). So the goal of the Lifestream sequence is not to restore Cloud to this previous flawed state, but... to accomplish something more. Accomplish something that will resolve the aforementioned issues by strengthening him against Jenova’s influence.

There are two ways to strengthen Cloud against the influence of the Jenova hivemind:

Rebuild Cloud’s sense of self by identifying and accepting his personal weakness -- without writing a whole other post, individuals injected with Jenova cells are susceptible to influence by the Jenova hivemind if they have a weak sense of self and weak will; thus, Cloud needs to fully understand and accept who he truly is, weaknesses and all, in order to withstand further Jenova tampering

Establish the truth of the Nibelheim incident -- until then, silver-tongued Sephiroth/Jenova will always be able to cast doubt on Cloud’s existence using the discrepancies between Cloud’s and Tifa’s memories

And wouldn’t you know it, but the Lifestream sequence does end up accomplishing all three of these things. It:

Proves that Cloud Strife of Nibelheim existed before the Nibelheim incident

Rebuilds Cloud’s sense of self by identifying and accepting his personal weakness

Establishes the truth of the Nibelheim incident

Something to note re: #3 - Establishes the truth of the Nibelheim incident: this is actually extremely challenging to do, as the truth lies solely within Cloud, but is blocked due to his own mental weakness. This is why the Lifestream sequence begins with Cloud trying and failing to correctly remember the Nibelheim incident: while he superficially does want to understand the truth of the incident, deep down he does not want to acknowledge his personal failings that are on full display in the true memory. It is only after Cloud accepts his personal weakness that he is able to face the full truth, failings and all.

So really, #2 - Rebuild Cloud’s sense of self by accepting his personal weakness is the most pivotal portion of the Lifestream sequence, as this empowers Cloud on a personal level and also allows him to remember the Nibelheim incident correctly. And as it happens, this is the portion that only Tifa can help with.

Part 2: Why Tifa is the only person, living or dead, who can resolve Cloud’s crisis

We’ve just discussed how rebuilding Cloud’s sense of self by helping him accept his personal weakness is one of the most important goals of the Lifestream sequence--and now I’d like to explain how this can only be accomplished with Tifa’s help and no one else’s.

>> Tifa is the focus of Cloud’s greatest weakness

I think that every fan, including non-shippers and anti-Tifa fans, will agree that Cloud is insecure and has a desperate need for acceptance. But because he needs to resolve and accept this greatest weakness, his shame, the real question is... when did it become pathological? What is it focused on, and what makes it his tragic flaw? The answers will give us a hint as to what Cloud needs to come to terms with his true self.

This is shown to us in the Mt. Nibel memory--the day Tifa’s mother died. And it is actually explicitly told to us by a very important entity...

...A blacked out, silhouetted version of Cloud that casually climbs out of his slack adult form. This silhouetted version of Cloud represents the deep dark secrets about himself that Cloud has hidden away for so long, and it tells us what exactly is on its mind.

Let’s review everything Deep Dark (DD) Cloud says:

Young Cloud: I began to think I was different... That I was different from those immature kids. That then... maybe... DD: Just maybe, they would invite me in. I thought that might happen, so I hung around...

...

DD: That night I called Tifa out to the well... I thought to myself Tifa would never come... that she hated me.

...

YC: This was the day... DD: Tifa's mother... T: The day Mom died...

...

DD: I don't remember the path I walked. Tifa missed her step. I ran to her... but didn't make it in time. Both of us fell off the cliff. Back then, I only scarred my knees but...

...

DD: Tifa was in a coma for seven days. We all thought she wouldn't make it. If only I could've saved her... I was so angry... Angry at myself for my weakness. Ever since then, I felt Tifa blamed me... I got out of control... I'd get into fights not even caring who it was.

(fade to black)

DD: That was the first time I heard about Sephiroth. If I got strong like Sephiroth, then everyone might...

(return to the nexus/Cloud’s mind)

DD: If I could just get stronger... Then even Tifa would have to notice me...

Many fans fixate on DD Cloud’s very first line (”just maybe, they would invite me in”), and I understand why--not only is the first satisfying eureka moment in the Lifestream, but it’s also deeply relatable. Who hasn’t felt like an outsider and wanted acceptance and approval? These same players then attribute all of Cloud’s motivations to this relatable feeling. “Cloud had a deep inferiority complex and wanted to prove himself to the world and that’s why he pretends to be the super coolest SOLDIER ever.”

But that interpretation completely ignores the other 90% of what DD Cloud says. The other 90% of Cloud’s shame is wrapped up in Tifa. “Tifa’s mom died... I tried to save Tifa, but I got off relatively unscathed while she suffered terrible injuries... Tifa must have hated me... I thought Tifa wouldn’t come to the well because she hated me... I wanted to be like Sephiroth so Tifa would notice me...” Even if a little bit of Cloud’s motivations are attributable to the contempt of the townspeople, the vast majority of it is focused on Tifa--would she always hate him? Would she ever notice him? Could he ever be worthy of her? DD Cloud’s dialogue reveals that Cloud’s shame and tragic flaw is completely centered on his need for Tifa’s approval. Perhaps only his pedestaled perception of Tifa, but Tifa all the same.

The "Cloud wants to impress all the kids” interpretation also ignores what the cinematography of this scene is telling us. The “big takeaway” of the Nibelheim memory and DD Cloud’s reveal is the single sentence that DD Cloud speaks after the memory is over and lights turn back on and they’re back at the nexus--the sentence that he “took away” from the previous scene. And look! It’s this one!

DD: If I could just get stronger... Then even Tifa would have to notice me...

THIS. THIS IS IT. This is the root of Cloud’s shame and explains his pathological need to misremember himself as a SOLDIER and thus misremember the Nibelheim incident at all costs: he was ashamed at his inability to rescue Tifa and Mt. Nibel, so he swore to himself that he would get stronger to earn her notice. Cloud needs to be strong so Tifa will notice him; thus, Cloud creates an illusionary world where he misremembers his own identity and the Nibelheim incident in a way that makes him a strong man that is finally worthy of her.

This is the personal weakness that Cloud needs to resolve in the Lifestream with Tifa’s help: he needs to learn that it is okay to not be the strong man, because Tifa will accept him regardless.

(And, sidebar, Cloud’s need for Tifa’s approval is not just some fleeting childhood dream in the distant past--even in present day, Ex-SOLDIER Cloud can’t bear to remember how he failed to be a stronger man for Tifa, because even in the present day, Tifa’s opinion of him is all that counts.)

>> What Tifa’s presence in the Lifestream accomplishes

While the above proves how Cloud’s personal weakness (his tragic flaw) revolves around Tifa and his feelings for her... we now need to answer, why does Cloud need Tifa to be in the Lifestream with him to work through these feelings? And this, I believe, comes down to two, very subtle, shown-not-told points:

Cloud’s honesty depends on Tifa’s presence, as Cloud’s need for Tifa to understand his feelings is greater than his need to hide his painful weaknesses from himself

Cloud draws strength from “his important person” (no matter how you want to define her: his main motivation, the person he’s been in love with forever...) accepting him and providing moral support

Let’s work through these in order.

REASON #1 - Cloud’s honesty depends on Tifa’s presence, as Cloud’s need for Tifa to understand his feelings is greater than his need to hide his painful weaknesses from himself

This one is very easy to miss, but is illustrated in two key ways. First, did you know that DD Cloud speaks early on in the Lifestream, even before the Mt. Nibel memory? His two lines are:

T: Now that you mention it, why did you want to join SOLDIER in the first place? I always thought it was a sudden decision you made... DD: ...I was devastated. ...I wanted to be noticed. Adult Cloud: ...I was devastated. ...I wanted to be noticed. I thought if I got stronger I could get someone to notice... T: Someone to notice you...? ...who? DD: Who...? ...You know who! ...You, that's who. AC: You... T: ...Me? Why!? YC: Tifa... did you forget... about those days?

Those two lines are definitely DD Cloud’s; in the earlier photos, we see that DD Cloud’s speech bubbles don’t have a background box. These new two lines are similarly background box-less. Moreover, these lines cannot be attributed to Adult Cloud or Young Cloud. See the below comparison photos:

DD vs. Adult Cloud’s vs. Young Cloud’s speech bubbles:

What’s very interesting is the tone of the second line (”Who...? ...You know who! ...You, that's who”); this is the only exclamation that Cloud uses in the entire sequence until all the revelations of the Nibelheim Incident re-memory. DD Cloud is startled into indignance that Tifa has no idea that he’s been trying to impress her all along. (DD Cloud is like, “Tifa, the past 12 years of my life were entirely motivated by you, are you telling me that literally none of this has gotten through to you!!?”) Even if DD Cloud were dormant and hidden this entire time, the ignominy of Tifa not understanding the effort he made for her for 12 years is just too much for him to suffer through silently.

The significance of this moment is actually incredible: the Deep Dark Secret that Cloud has been hiding from this entire time, the Deep Dark Secret that Cloud would rather die/go comatose than acknowledge... this Deep Dark Secret indignantly reveals itself just because Tifa apparently doesn’t know about it! Cloud’s need for Tifa to understand his Deep Dark Secret is even greater than Cloud’s need to be honest with himself to prevent his clone coma.

And this becomes a trend that continues up to the Mt. Nibel memory--Cloud is reluctant to revisit these memories, and only does so because he wants Tifa to understand his feelings. Almost every other line we see Cloud’s reluctance, his disbelief at Tifa’s cluelessness, and him forcing himself to open up so Tifa can know what he’s been obsessing over for 12 years. See the dialogue yourself (my notes in square brackets):

YC: Tifa...... did you forget...... about those days? [Cloud’s disbelief that Tifa doesn’t know]

...

YC: It's important to me... I hate to say it but... It's a very important memory... [Cloud’s reluctance to revisit the memory] Do you want to see it? Come on, hurry. [Cloud’s need for Tifa to see]

...

AC: ...a sealed up secret... wish... Tender memories... no one can ever know... [Cloud’s reluctance to revisit the memory]

YC: Do you know where this window goes to, Tifa? [Cloud’s disbelief that Tifa doesn’t know] Fine... I'll go. [Cloud’s need for Tifa to see]

Again, this is a tremendous moment. Cloud is only motivated to honesty for Tifa’s benefit, and takes each reluctant step towards the truth because Tifa is right next to him with all her cluelessness. In his desire to be honest for Tifa, Cloud ends up being honest for himself as well... Tifa’s presence is the only reason why Cloud can be honest to himself in the Lifestream. If not for her, Cloud never would have broached those painful memories and never would have resolved his crisis.

One last thing I want to highlight is that Cloud wouldn’t open up like this for anyone. Reread this line: “Tender memories... no one can ever know.” If anyone else was in the Lifestream with Cloud--or if it was just Cloud by himself--DD Cloud would never have felt the need to express himself. He would have stayed hidden, preferring for Cloud and the others to forever perceive him as the super cool SOLDIER instead of a “weak man” who couldn’t even save the girl he loved back on Mt. Nibel or fulfill his promise to her.

REASON #2 - Cloud draws strength from Tifa (the object of his shame/his fellow Nibelheim survivor/the person he’s been trying to win the attention of forever/the person he’s loved for 12 years) accepting him and providing moral support

This one is the most subtle as it’s mostly shown and the dialogue is not explicit, but the scene simply does not work without it. It is thanks to Tifa’s support that Cloud is brave enough to correctly remember the Nibelheim incident.

After DD Cloud says his final line in the nexus, he looks away from Tifa.

Can’t even make eye contact with her, even though he was able to back in the Mt. Nibel memory. He must think that now that all the cards are on the table, Tifa will reject him in some way. Maybe she will heap on the blame for failing to save her at Mt. Nibel, or be disgusted that he dared try to win her notice, but whatever it is, he expects some kind of rejection. But... that’s not what happens. Instead, Tifa implicitly absolves him of any guilt or shame by apologizing to him instead.

DD: If I could just get stronger... Then even Tifa would have to notice me...

T: So that was it... Sorry, Cloud. If I had only remembered more clearly what happened, I could have done something sooner...

...

So not only does Tifa fail to reject Cloud, but she also implies that Cloud is completely faultless, as she would have corrected the townspeople’s misconceptions about Cloud if she’d only known. Tifa plainly supports Cloud and does not blame him for Mt. Nibel.

Moreover, she continues to encourage Cloud after this moment. Soon after, Tifa exclaims:

T: Hang in there Cloud! Just a little longer! You've almost found the real you!

It’s only after Tifa’s words of encouragement that both Adult Cloud and DD Cloud merge into one another. This is a powerful moment; it shows that Adult Cloud hasn’t lost those deep, sealed away feelings, but has finally made peace with them. Cloud’s deep dark feelings are still a part of him but no longer hold him back; he no longer needs to misremember himself as a strong man for Tifa because Tifa accepts him as he is.

The game then explicitly shows Tifa and Cloud behaving with a togetherness that we haven’t seen the entire game--these two have finally overcome the distance between them and are able to tackle the world as a team. Cloud can finally be brave because he knows Tifa won’t leave his side.

And the game shows us this. First, Tifa, Adult Cloud, and DD Cloud all resolutely hold their fists up in unison (so ‘90s shounen anime, I love it):

Then they run into the Nibelheim memory together, side by side, literally in lockstep--look how every foot step is in sync:

This is different from previous memories, where one is always following the other or doing different things. What it shows us is that after Cloud comes clean about his shame and Tifa accepts him as he is, the two are closer together than ever before. Cloud feels brave enough to properly remember the Nibelheim incident when he has Tifa with him.

And it’s telling that the very first moment Cloud tries to remember is...

...the memory of Tifa being injured. Not the memories of him stabbing Sephiroth (or being stabbed by him), not the memories of Zack being injured, not the memory of Cloud putting on his helmet to hide his shame. If he were still afraid of Tifa’s disappointment, Cloud would not choose to relive this as his very first memory. Yet Cloud picks a painful moment that includes Tifa, trusting that they can work through it as a team. I know I keep on saying it, but it’s the truth: Cloud is empowered to fully face his deepest shame and weakness because he knows that the real Tifa accepts him as he is and will stay by his side.

Part 3: So what does this mean for those “alternate fan theories?”

Phew! That was a lot. Let’s recheck our notes on what the Lifestream scene needs to accomplish:

Prove that Cloud Strife of Nibelheim existed before the Nibelheim incident

Rebuild Cloud’s sense of self by identifying and accepting his personal weakness

Establish the truth of the Nibelheim incident

Given what we just discussed, any substitute for Tifa would accomplish some, but not all of the above three points.

So for those fans who say...

>> “Cloud could have done it all by himself” - did... did you miss the giant floating confused Cloud?? He was trying and failing to figure it out by himself because he couldn’t bear to be honest, even for his own sake. What ultimately turns the tide is Cloud’s need to express his true feelings to Tifa, and how it outweighs his need to hide his weakness from himself; thus, without Tifa’s presence, Cloud cannot be honest with himself and cannot resolve his identity crisis.

And PS, when Tifa says, “Cloud found himself on his own,” she’s referring to Cloud’s choice to reveal his weakness to her, and Cloud’s bravery at confronting the Nibelheim incident afterwards. She’s not saying “oh I didn’t need to be there at all and Cloud really just needed a couple extra minutes and I was basically scenery lol.” She’s complimenting Cloud for the radical honesty/personal strength that allowed him to finally express his true thoughts to her and thus to himself.

Verdict: Cloud gets half points for #2 (accept personal weakness) and #3 (remember Nibelheim) because ultimately he’s the one who decides to reveal the truth of those moments. Cloud gets 0 points for #1 (prove his existence) because he still needed to double-check with someone who knew him as a child.

>> “any childhood friend could have helped Cloud” - sure, that childhood friend could help accomplish #1 (prove his existence), but as we previously discussed, Cloud is only motivated to be honest with himself when he realizes that Tifa doesn’t know the extent of his feelings for her. If he never that Tifa was clueless, then Cloud would have kept the Mt. Nibel memory locked away from himself and everyone else.

Verdict: A Nibelheim rando would be able to accomplish #1 (prove his existence) but would fail to accomplish #2 (accept personal weakness) or #3 (remember Nibelheim)--Tifa is needed for DD Cloud to come clean, and Tifa’s unique role allows her to support Cloud while he works to remember the truth of the Nibelheim incident.

>> “Aerith (+Zack) could have taken care of it” - sure, Aerith (+Zack) could have shown Cloud the truth of #1 (prove his existence) and #3 (remember Nibelheim), because they both could observe the truth of those events.

But how could they help Cloud with #2 (accept personal weakness), when Cloud has been trying to hide his weakness all along and would probably feel even worse in comparison to these two shining beacons of excellence? And there’s some proof to this line of thinking; in CC, Cloud explicitly does not want to share his feelings for Tifa with Zack; and in OG, Cloud arguably tries to preserve the hero fantasy of being the Coolest SOLDIER Ever for Aerith. I can’t imagine Cloud wanting to share these “tender feelings that no one can ever know”/his love-induced weakness with anyone except for the object of those tender feelings. So #2 is still allllll Tifa, baby.

Verdict: Aerith (+Zack) could take care of #1 and #3, but they could never get Cloud to open up about #2--and even if they did, they were not the “victims” of “Cloud’s failure,” so their forgiveness/acceptance would mean nothing to Cloud and would not help him accept his own weakness.

Final thoughts:

>> Fun theory, but Cloti isn’t essential for it... the sequence still works even if Cloud’s tragic flaw is a raging inferiority complex.

There’s a difference between something technically working vs. what the game actually shows us. Yes, it could work if Cloud has a generic inferiority complex that has nothing to do with Tifa... but the game’s explanation of Cloud’s psyche (DD Cloud’s dialogue) spends >90% of its wordcount on Tifa. This argument essentially works if you throw out >90% of what the game was trying to tell you. Cloud’s entire inner world revolves around Tifa and stuffing your fingers in your ears and loudly saying lalalala does not change that.

>> But didn’t Cloud choose to hide his face because he wanted to hide his failure from everyone in town, not just Tifa, which would prove it was just a generic inferiority complex?

Sure, Cloud says:

C: I... never made it as a member of SOLDIER. I even left my hometown telling everyone I was going to join, but... I was so embarrassed. I didn't want to see anyone.

Off that line alone, one would think that he is ashamed to show his face to anyone in his hometown.

But the game shows us that Cloud specifically decided to hide when he saw Tifa.

Look how this baby is prepared to stroll into town with his Chocobo head free in that Nibelheim breeze. Not what you’d expect someone to do if they’re trying to hide from everyone, right?

But as soon as Cloud notices Tifa, he runs offscreen and puts his helmet back on while Zack can only shrug a “you do you” in reply.

It’s Tifa that Cloud couldn’t bear to disappoint. Not the rest of the town.

>> That final “resolution” moment after the Mt. Nibel incident is a little weak, isn’t it? There’s nothing explicitly saying that Tifa accepted Cloud and that’s why he’s able to shake off his shame and remember the Nibelheim incident properly.

It’s true that so much of this is implicit (the absence of Tifa berating Cloud, Tifa wishing she could have helped Cloud more back then), or shown-not-told (Tifa and Cloud raising their fists in unison, Tifa and Cloud running in unison). The OG script also jumps right to Tifa’s exclamation that the Mt. Nibel memory proves Cloud is a real person, not really lingering on Tifa accepting Cloud or anything. To be honest, the biggest reason why I even put together this theory is because 1 + 1 ≠ 4, but somehow that’s what happens in the Lifestream if we remove this shame/acceptance aspect. Also... how unsatisfying and uncharacteristic is it for Cloud to just feel ashamed that he failed to save Tifa, then for that shame to be resolved during the Nibelheim incident re-memory with a “oh it’s not that bad, at least you saved her during the Nibelheim incident so that mitigates it”? Or for it to not be resolved at all?

If Cloud was so deeply ashamed that he’d prefer to become a potato instead of face these memories, then I can’t imagine that facing the memories with zero support from Tifa would help him feel confident enough to tackle the Nibelheim re-memory. I highly suspect that this scene will be expanded upon in the Remake to explicitly highlight Tifa’s acceptance, resulting in Cloud’s readiness to expose his true memories to Tifa and himself.

#final fantasy vii #ffvii #ff7 #tifa lockhart #cloud strife #cloud x tifa #cloti #im sorry this is so long #i saw so many bad takes on the lifestream this month #i needed to get this out of my system #thank you to everyone who managed to make it to the end i appreciate you and love you

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cruelsister-moved2 · 2 years

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i mean i get the thesis and in a literal sense sure but in terms of like literary criticism its bonkers to use a works copyright status as the arbiter..like a disney live action remake is licensed bc they own both properties but its probably doing even less w the source material than a fanfic writer would 😭 there are also like zillions of licensed books and films being filmed because someone changed the name of harry potter to larry baker or whatever and now its transformative. also copyright literally didnt EXIST in shakespeare’s time (and older stuff goes out of copyright) so youre also setting the bar that anything with an older source material is automatically an original work... the point really is that like in theory, transformative use of a source is free from copyright liability so in theory a work that has a copyright license would indeed signal that its non-derivative, but there are sooo many things that are, contentwise very much just fanfiction, that are able to escape the critical liability of being such beacuse..they have a license? because there was money behind their production? and if u go with that definition then you kind of give ppl who think fanfiction about star wars is equivalent in value to the works of shakespeare free reign to say youre just being elitist because its like well yeah your criteria is basically based around commerce. and if my criticism of fanfiction isnt anything to do with its legal status but about the fact its derivative and simplistic then there are also plenty of licensed properties that should get the same criticism even if they are free of that label like if you took a midsummer night’s dream and renamed the characters after members of the band one direction it would still be a worthy and transformative piece of fiction and also if someone publishes their south park fanfic but changes the names of the characters it doesnt. become good. i think theres a lot of correlation vs causation moment ie. copyright doesnt mean something isnt (EFFECTIVELY) fanfiction just bc its correlated with something being an original work, and also stuff borrowing from copyrighted properties doesnt inherently mean its bad and shallow its just that people who watch supernatural and then go on ao3 and write stories about some of the characters fucking generally dont produce literary masterpieces. but there is a hypothetical case where a work using elements of a copyrighted property does have literary value and its not the copyright status that is a defining factor come onnn. ok i explained this so badly i hope this doesnt look like im not a fanfiction hater its just that i think this attempt at criticism is misguided and kind of stupid and well a kpop hyphen url posted it so

#and i dont even wanna talk abt copyright & folk material #cuz ill get all annoying about it lol #there is also fanfiction about copywritten things like thats very much a thing lol #*NON copywritten oops #also Greek Mythology is my fav religious text. i love tha tbook #also idc if you read fanfiction or w/e its just that like its not equivalent to um like real . literature

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illegiblewords · 3 years

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Some Endwalker Predictions!

 Basically I’m absolutely prepared to eat crow/will not be betting on these theories for even a second. But I wanna hazard a guess about pacing for 6.0 not only on having an unsundered return, but when and how.

Long post under the cut!

This is based off of a combination of narrative beats and precedents in Stormblood and Shadowbringers. Both past expansions we had 2 dungeons followed by the first trial. StB we had Sirensong Sea (lvl 61) and Shisui of the Violet Tides (lvl 63 non-MSQ) + Susano (lvl 63 MSQ). ShB we had Holminster Switch (lvl 71) and Dohn Mheg (lvl 73) then Titania (73). Additionally, Emet appeared after Titania but before Rak'tika. In terms of pacing this mattered because the Warrior needed to be immersed in the First and tension had to be built around Emet leading up to his appearance. Holminster Switch as dungeon #1 needed to offer the first taste of a dungeon in ShB, and surrounding that first dungeon players got introduced to the setting and tone of the expansion. Dohn Mheg and surrounding Il Mheg quests served to establish a pattern of expectation. We become immersed and have a sense of what is “normal” for the course of our plot. Introducing Emet then challenged expectation.

For Shadowbringers, Emet was a wildcard who threw expected patterns into disarray. For Endwalker I think the Dreamer will fill this role, although it’s possible Venat might as well depending. I’ve talked in the past about why I think it’s essential we have at least one unsundered ally in the MSQ for Endwalker but to refresh: an unsundered will have the highest emotional stakes in Zodiark and Amaurot/the Ancients who were sacrificed to make Zodiark, providing a direct tie to that conflict as well as contrast against what Fandaniel is doing as a sundered Ascian going AWOL. WoL and the Scions care because of what Emet and Elidibus have shown us, but it is less immediate for them compared to the unsundered. Venat offers the opposite perspective of that conflict. Narratively, we need a character who is extremely personally invested and who is actively reacting to the way things develop with Fandaniel and Zenos as threats to Zodiark/the star.

Part of me thinks the Dreamer is Lahabrea b/c of how prominently the First Beast is featured, because of his implied role in Zodiark’s creation and various steps leading up to the Doom, guilt and WoL-related character drama, as well as timing and arc issues. Arc-wise Lahabrea is nowhere near complete and needs a fuckton of explicit examination. He’s the first adversary we encountered in-game and has been put through utter hell without the impact on him being shown. We’ve also been getting loads and loads of clues about his psychology, history, and development from someone admired as Amaurot’s arguably most trusted sage to Mr. Laughs-at-explosions we meet in ARR. He has a ton of ground to cover as a character.

Lahabrea also has his own share of foreshadowing (his own phoenix motifs + Thaliak links in Sharlayan) plus many recent lore mentions. The comments about Tiamat's untempering being easier because she trusts WoL & Co along with her seeing Bahamut as an equal with regards to tempering I expect to be hugely contrasted with Lahabrea. Because honestly if any of the Ascians have reason to hate, fear, and be outright traumatized by us it's Lahabrea. Lbr here. Not to mention if he sees himself as absolutely low compared to Zodiark even beyond Zodiark being the god composite of his people that's added challenge.

The big complicating factor to me that would point to the Dreamer not being Lahabrea would be if the "Glory to Garlemald" bits we’ve been seeing, which make sense more tied to Emet's dreams. Emet narrating the trailer, everything surrounding the currently unutilized clones, and Emet being implied to have Allagan Eye abilities (control of the Crystal Tower + Zenos inheriting dream memories like G’raha) would be points in favor of Dreamer!Emet. Additionally, a more established bond with the group might make slightly less difficult untempering challenge. Lahabrea has intense soul damage and reason to be actively hostile/fearful so if it is escalating difficulty, Emet might be easier Unsundered untempering start point.

When it comes to timing, Elidibus is hard mode untempering as Zodiark's Heart, just appeared in 5.3, and is currently in crystal storage. Emet I'm unsure of his fate beyond that I certainly don't expect him back super imminently because he cameo'd for 5.3. Lahabrea has been MIA since HW so is very much due to return. If we are to get all three unsundered back, which would be BEAUTIFUL but who knows, I think difficulty is Emet-Selch, Lahabrea, Elidibus in terms of where they are psychologically but Lahabrea, Emet-Selch, Elidibus if it’s a matter of last appearance in MSQ + overall power level. Lahabrea has been self-harming for millenia and has had a shitty time recently so I don’t expect him to just show up at level 80+ like it’s nothing.

But anyway.

From the trailer, we know that Endwalker will involve the Doom being brought back. Even beyond the implications of Zenos and Fandaniel, it makes sense to me that an Unsundered Dreamer is the mechanism of that--I'm p. sure his memories are being used to bring back the Sound. Elidibus might have been the original intended instrument given Zenos and Fandaniel planned an ambush but alas, crystal storage.

Mysterious lady who is all but confirmed as Venat has appeared already, so the stage for her entrance is set. She can move more or less freely. I think she will be introduced as a parallel to Ryne's entry in terms of timing, but I can't be positive. The Scion Trust party structure is shuffling with Estinien coming in as physical DPS and G'raha being present so I'm skeptical Venat's gonna fight. Something that could throw a HUGE wrench in things is one of the current Trust members dying (SE has essentially confirmed a character will die, imo it makes more sense for it to be a character we currently have confirmed with us and alive, probably will be one of the Scions) partway through the MSQ. That could lead to either Venat or even an Unsundered becoming a Trust member without the total number of possible Trust members shifting too much, but honestly idk what that timing will look like or what restrictions Square is working with regarding Trusts.

Returning to Ascians though.

  In the story currently, we've had the towers introduced and understand their structure/function more or less. Tempered worshipers are imprisoned and put into a state of high stress so they will cry out to their deity--fueling a lunar primal. Narratively, the first attempt to interact with a tower didn't work. We know we're going into a tower full of matanga from our dungeon previews and we know that at some point we are going to be facing the Magus Sisters. I don't know that the Magus Sisters will be a trial--they could very well be the final boss of a Thavnair tower dungeon given what we've seen.

Right now however, we need to both deal with a tower dungeon and we need the Doom introduced to the star for elevated stakes as per the trailer.

It took a bit of thinking for me but I suspect Sharlayan is going to be a bit like a combination of Eulmore at the start of ShB and Gyr Abania at the start of StB. We go there briefly, get shut out/are unable to access what we were after, and quickly move to another location.

Whether we stop in Thavnair on the way to Sharlayan or go after, I think we'll be more established in Radz-at-Han. It's going to be the Crystarium/Rhalgr's Reach equivalent player hub. Thavnair is where we'll do our first dungeon, and I predict it’ll be building off our previous tower experience. After that I think we'll encounter monsters from the Doom and possibly catch wind of the Dreamer, then make our way to Garlemald in response. Garlemald is gonna be a hellscape and our second dungeon will be there as well as trial boss #1.

Trial #1 could be a guard of the Dreamer or could be the Dreamer himself depending on what's going on, but I do think in either case we're retrieving the Dreamer rather than killing him.

If we are fighting the Dreamer in the trial, I do think that whether it's Lahabrea or Emet-Selch there's a chance we'll be tasked with untempering. At the same time it could be that we don't try to untemper in that setting/under those conditions and instead try at a later point. Untempering being done during the fight itself would give a dramatic fight that lets players revisit the emotional pathos freely outside of the unending journey log, which is a possible reason for it.

If untempering is done at a later point though, 1st trial gets to be a build-up (establish normal) probably with a guard rather than the Dreamer himself. If the Dreamer is Emet, a guard would avoid redundancy with The Dying Gasp. Lvl 89 trial is a bigger boss followed by the high tension lvl 90 trial later. Later untempering is prob an instance, but if Dreamer = Lahabrea, I think Pandaemonium is going to be psychonauts-style "fight the inner demons" and is partly bc Yoshi-P said he regrets no Lahabrea trial. We get a raid instead.

Dreamer introduced around trial #1 in any case tho.

A point toward fighting a guard to the Dreamer rather than the Dreamer himself would be I think it's significant that the Warrior + Scions see an unsundered unconscious, vulnerable, and in need of help. That's a huge re-frame off of past experiences.

But yeah, curious what you guys think!

#Endwalker #Final Fantasy xiv #Final Fantasy 14 #FFXIV #FF14 #Shadowbringers #Stormblood #Venat #Emet-Selch #Lahabrea #Ascians

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