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beyonddarkness · 2 years ago

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Hello. As a watcher of a few drama series as well as a reader, I like how you noticed Easter eggs from season 1. Me personally, I follow character development as well as Easter eggs. (Not saying you don't.) For example, following Disa's development in season 1, one can conclude that she is a character who will fall under Sauron's influence going forward, which also, reinforces lore regarding the dwarves and hoarding. Interesting how the showrunners reinforce that she will get corrupted.

I want to add that if I go by Easter eggs alone and ignore character development, Bronwyn will be under his influence, as celebrimbor and Galadriel were, and Ar-Pharazon. However, since they will all know who he is this season, based on her character development, and not just Easter eggs, when she learns who he is, I see her leading a faction against him. Also she isn't in the lore so I wonder how much she will be a focus going forward, whereas Disa might be more likely effected.

I agree! And you bring up a very interesting topic.

I love how we can predict each character's story arc and development. The potential (and assured) tragedies and triumphs make for an enriching analytical experience. It often saddens me that not all of the characters we love will have happy endings. For example, you have beloved characters like Isildur, who dies tragically, being ensnared by the Ring. We know how vulnerable Eärien is to certain influences, so her looking into the Palantir in episode 8 does not bode well, considering Sauron can communicate through Palantiri. Theo also has an extremely dismal path ahead of him.

The Stranger is a little less predictable, and we might think it's obvious that he'll end up being good (he probably will), but there are a few indications in interviews that it's not set in stone yet, despite him saying, "I am good."

So, in Season 1 alone, every character has a pretty solid foundation from which we can predict the direction of their development, and it's really fun to talk about. You brought up Bronwyn and Disa, so let's talk a bit about them.

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Finrod's metaphor is the template we can use to determine the ending of an arc.

"Do you know why a ship floats, and a stone cannot? Because the stone sees only downward. The darkness of the water is vast and irresistible. The ship feels the darkness, as well, striving moment by moment to master her and pull her under. But the ship has a secret. For, unlike the stone, her gaze is not downward, but up, fixed upon the light that guides her, whispering of grander things than Darkness ever knew." (TROP: A Shadow of the Past)

This was used even for Gollum, whose ending was nigh certain from the beginning, although he was technically redeemable.

"He was interested in roots and beginnings; he dived into deep pools; he burrowed under trees and growing plants; he tunnelled into green mounds; and he ceased to look up at the hill-tops, or the leaves of trees, or the flowers opening in the air: his head and his eyes were downward." (FOTR: The Shadow of the Past)

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DISA

There's a lot here. I agree that she will be deceived by Sauron. I love her, but she is walking a very tight rope.

It is difficult to drive the point home without talking extensively about mithril, but I am in the middle of explaining all of the mithril stuff on my blog, so my thinking will be exposed soon.

Sauron can plant certain words in the mind, so that the speakers believe it came from their own thoughts. For example, Isildur, Gollum, and Bilbo independently describe the One Ring as being "Precious." Celebrimbor talks about "the key that unlocked the dam," "power over flesh," and a "power of the unseen world," without knowing that those are Sauron's words. Then, he continues to use words that Sauron has used before (as he fidgets with the mithril).

(1x08): Galadriel: "Those words. 'Power over flesh.' Where did you hear them?" Celebrimbor: "I... I was conferring with my smiths, I think. I... No, I believe those are my words." G: "Was Halbrand with you?" C: "What's it matter? It's over."

(1x02): Galadriel: "Your home. Where was it?" Sauron: "What's it matter? It's ashes now."

So, when Elrond turns to Disa and says...

"Go towards goodness."

...we are left with a very important question:

Will she?

Depends. Is her gaze up or down? Is she whispering the same things that Darkness whispers, or is she "whispering of grander things than Darkness ever knew?"

In episode 7, her true motivations are brought to light. She's not evil, but she is treading some dangerous territory. After Dúrin says that he failed Elrond, and it's his fault that the Elves must flee, Disa gives a very unnerving monologue:

"No. No, it isn't. [...] It's your father's. He's grown too old, too suspicious, his mind too feeble, his eyes too dim to see that no matter how many crests he hurls to the floor, one day this will be your kingdom—Dúrin IV's. Not your brother's. Not some other Dwarf-lord's. Yours. And mine. And together, we will rule this mountain and all others before our time is done."

Pause.

Now, I don't know about you, but that just raises a ton of exclamation points in my head. Do the highlighted words sound familiar?

"Against your enemy. And mine." "Together, we can save this Middle-earth." ["Save, or rule?"]

Disa is so intent on gathering mithril, that she doesn't recognize the nature of what she's saying.

She seems to genuinely care about Elrond, and the idea that he and his people will become extinct if they don't leave Middle-earth is probably distressing, especially since the Dwarves have a supposed means of saving them, and Dúrin III isn't helping.

However.

In retrospect, the apparent dependency the Elves have on mithril seems almost like an excuse for her.

Disa: "Lice-bearded, uncaring, old fool!" Dúrin: "What if he's right?" Disa: "You're not thinking of letting this happen!" Dúrin: "What choice do we have?" Disa: "You said the other Dwarf-lords were open to the proposal. If we reopen the mine ourselves, prove to them there's a safe way to gather mithril, perhaps they'd make him listen. Perhaps we could force your father's hand" (1x07).

She never mentions Elrond, or the Elves.

Also, who really likes to use Force?

"But he ruled rather by force and fear, if they might avail" (The Silmarillion: Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age).

"Supposing that's the trouble. Supposing we've been using too much force" (1x08).

But what connection could she possibly have to mithril? Why does she want it so badly?

She was the first one to find it. In episode 4, Dúrin tells Elrond, "Disa detected it during a routine gold-seaming."

The remainder of her monologue is the most revealing.

"That mithril belongs to us—to you and me. And together, one day, we are going to dig."

Keep in mind that Elrond has just been cast out of Khazad-dûm, and Dúrin and Disa believe there is no stopping the Elves from leaving Middle-earth. The only race they are concerned about now is the Dwarves. Yet, Disa is still set on obtaining mithril, and she no longer has the excuse that it's to save the entire Elven race. She emphasizes "to you and me," as if to say, "Forget the Elves. Now, it's ours."

All of this sets Disa up to be extremely vulnerable to Sauron's intriguing suggestions, if/when he comes to Khazad-dûm. I think we can compare her to Celebrimbor in a lot of ways. She's a smith, like Celebrimbor (and Sauron), and wants to make the Dwarven people prosper. But excessive ambition can lead to pride, and...

"Humility has saved entire kingdoms the proud have all but led to ruin" (Galadriel, 1x06).

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BRONWYN

We can end on a happy note.

Like Disa, Bronwyn can also be compared to Celebrimbor in some ways. Celebrimbor is an artificer, who wants to bring beauty to Middle-earth, and Bronwyn is a healer (which is what Sauron claims he wants to be). However, she is much more humble, with little ambition but for the welfare of her son and neighbors. She also has Arondir to help her in moments of despair, like in episode 5.

This season, she seemed to be very defensive of Halbrand, understandably so. Leading the Men of the Southlands was "a burden [she] never sought to take up," so having the Promised King finally appear was a tremendous relief. She did everything she could to heal his wound in episode 7 and asked Galadriel what to do with him when it continued to fester. She did not hesitate to gather provisions for the ride to Eregion, and was the first to say, "Strength to the King."

But despite her fidelity to Sauron's kingly guise, I think we can be assured that she will perceive the peril sooner or later. Let's repeat the same question as before:

Will she go towards goodness?

Depends. Is her gaze up or down? Is she whispering the same things that Darkness whispers, or is she "whispering of grander things than Darkness ever knew?"

Answer:

Theo: "Do you remember when I was little, when I used to have bad dreams?" Bronwyn: "I remember." Theo: "Do you remember what you used to say, when you would hold me in the dark?" Bronwyn: [nods] Theo: "Would you say it to me, now?" Bronwyn: "In the end, this shadow is but a small and passing thing. There is light and high beauty, forever beyond its reach. Find the light, and the shadow will not find you" (1x06).

By the time everyone knows who Sauron is (after the One Ring is forged), I can picture a dynamic like the one in Númenor between the Faithful and the Kingsmen. Bronwyn and Arondir's standing might be similar to Míriel and Elendil's. Judging by this scary piece of foreshadowing, Sauron will probably try to seduce Bronwyn in some manner. Charlie knew what he was doing when he made this face:

(note Arondir and Galadriel looming in the background lol)

Arondir would obviously NOT be too happy about that, and in episode 7, we can already see many hints of his distrust. Considering that Sauron injured himself with a wound that needed Elvish medicine (which probably required some sorcery), I wonder if Arondir witnessed something. (I can make another post on this, later.)

In any case, I don't think Bronwyn will be 'conquered.'

The lyrics of Plea to the Rocks solidly point towards where her arc is going.

Amanya fírië, alcarinquë-anyalie Nolwa mahtar Koivierya queluva rië aurenna quel-kala Laure Envinyataina Órerya siluva elerrína Kardalyaron minty-oialë Blessed death, glorious memory Brave soldier Her life will fade only upon the day light fades Golden light Renewed, her heart will shine, crowned with stars Deed of your people, remembered forever

Her death will probably be like Morwen's (Túrin's mother), in The Silmarillion:

"But Morwen said: 'Almost. I am spent. I shall go with the sun. [...]' But Húrin did not answer, and they sat beside the stone, and did not speak again; and when the sun went down Morwen sighed and clasped his hand, and was still; and Húrin knew that she had died. He looked down at her in the twilight and it seemed to him that the lines of grief and cruel hardship were smoothed away. 'She was not conquered,' he said; and he closed her eyes, and sat unmoving beside her as the night drew down" (Of the Ruin of Doriath).

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nadineof30s · 2 years ago

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Mary Who?

Peculiar Reader/Miss Peregrine (Platonic)

A Christmas imagine/fanfiction to celebrate Christmas coming up in a few days! Lots of innocent fluff. I hope it's not too cringy lol.

Warnings: Very subtle implications of neglect

Today everybody was buzzing around the house, excited that it was finally winter. We kept track of the days on a little calendar Miss Peregrine hung in the kitchen. Technically the first day of winter wasn’t for a few weeks, but since it was December, everybody said that it counts anyway. I was embarrassed to find out just how much about the world I didn’t know. I knew about months, just not all of their names, and I had previously noticed the changing weather throughout the year, just not the logistics of it. Living in a poor, neglectful household doesn’t exactly encourage a well-rounded education. Luckily Miss Peregrine was able to privately catch me up, for the most part, so I wouldn’t have to humiliate myself around the others.

It was mid afternoon, just after tea time, and I was sitting in the parlor reading a book I was behind on for one of Miss Peregrine’s book discussions she makes us do, when I heard laughing and the sound of something being dragged across the wood floor. I furrowed my brow and looked up to see Bronwyn dragging a huge fir tree into the house, with a proud Fiona skipping in behind her. My eyes widened in surprise.

“Woah, why are you dragging a tree into the house? Miss Peregrine will have a fit!” I stood up and pointed to the trail of pine needles leading to the still open front door.

“Don’t worry, she knows! We always put up a tree on the first of December. I did a pretty great job on this one, eh Bronwyn?” Fiona asked, face full of pride.

“Sure. It might not fit in the parlor, though. I think it’s going to touch the ceiling!” Bronwyn grunted before sighing in relief as she let the tree fall to the floor.

“I don’t understand. Why would we have a tree in the house? It’ll die and drop needles everywhere,” I thought out loud, puzzled.

“It’s December silly. There’s only twenty-four more days until Christmas! Merry Christmas!” Fiona yells, clearly very excited about the thought of it. My face scrunches up with confusion.

“Who’s Mary…Chris…mass?” I attempted to repeat the word Fiona had just said. She laughed and shook her head at me.

“Nice one, Y/N,” she giggled. I laughed with her, realizing this was probably another obvious thing about life I failed to learn.

“Help us decorate the tree. It’ll be fun!” Fiona practically shouted. I wasn’t exactly sure why or how you would even decorate a tree, much less bring it inside.

“Sure! Just give me a minute…” I trailed off before leaving the room and running up the stairs to Miss Peregrine’s study. I would ask her who Mary was, since she knows absolutely everything. I stopped outside her door and paused before knocking lightly. I heard a quiet “come in!” from behind the door, then entered the room. I walked in to find Miss Peregrine sitting behind her desk looking frustrated with whatever she was working on. Her fingers rubbed her temples while her hair looked slightly disheveled. I suddenly felt like this may not be a good time to ask her about this mystery person.

“Hi, Miss Peregrine!” I greeted her with the most cheery voice I could muster, hoping to put her mind at ease. She leaned back in her chair and smiled at me.

“Hello, Miss Y/N. You seem rather cheerful this afternoon.”

“Well, yes it is a beautiful day, Miss P.” I gestured to the window, the sun streaming through it creating a nice, natural light.

“Yes…it’s always a nice day?” She half asked, looking a bit perplexed. She of course was referring to the fact that it was always warm and sunny in our loop. That much I knew.

I nodded my head at her, the same, probably slightly unnerving, smile on my face and my hands clasped behind my back. She let out a light giggle at my strange behavior.

“Is there something you need, Y/N?” she asked after a moment.

“Oh, yes Miss P. I was only wondering who Mary is,” I asked her before plopping down in the chair across from her. She furrowed her brow at me and thought for a moment.

“I’m sorry, I think I will need more context.” She looked at me with confusion.

“Well I saw Bronwyn carrying a tree into the parlor and Fiona kept talking about somebody named Mary…Chris-Mass?” I was pretty sure I wasn’t saying her last name correctly. A big smile covered her face and it was clear she was holding back a laugh by the way her shoulders shook.

“Yes, Y/N, what she was referring to was the winter holiday, Christmas,” she said knowingly, “you remember when we talked about holidays, don’t you?”

“Oh yes! I do, I just don’t remember talking about…Christ…mas?” I paused before attempting to pronounce Christmas.

“I’m afraid I may have forgotten to actually go through them all with you. Christmas is a wonderful holiday, known to many religions as the celebration of the birth of Christ,” she explained.

“Oh. Well, what does that have to do with bringing a huge tree inside?” I asked, still confused.

“That is an age-old tradition, usually observed by normals. But a few of the children loved the idea so we started to recognize it ourselves. You bring a fir tree inside your house and then decorate it with all kinds of colorful ornaments.”

“But…why?” I still didn’t quite get it.

“It connects to another tradition practiced by normals. There’s a large man dressed in red who uses a sleigh driven by reindeer to deliver presents to all the children of the world. He supposedly puts them underneath the fir tree. It is just a fable that is decidedly untrue, but still a fun thing to think about, isn’t it? His name is Santa Claus. It’s usually something parents do for their children to make the season even more magical,” she clarified. I laughed slightly at her description of this strange person. And also the thought of anyone’s parents making up something so silly.

“Hm that’s so weird! He breaks into people’s houses,” I giggled. She grinned and nodded her head.

“Well, yes, I suppose you could think of it that way. We do usually give each other gifts on the twenty fifth for Christmas, but I think Santa Claus is just a bit much.”

I nodded in agreement. We sat in a comfortable silence for a minute or two.

“Why don’t you go back downstairs and help the others decorate the tree. It’s more fun than it sounds, I promise!” Miss Peregrine suggested.

“Okay. Thanks, Miss Peregrine!” I exclaimed before I got up from the chair and raced back down to the parlor.

She shook her head endearingly, and continued her work with a huge grin on her face.

—

It was almost Christmas which meant I only had two more days to come up with a gift for Miss Peregrine. I already had gifts together for everyone else, but was struggling to think of something for Miss P. I was sitting at the desk in my room, staring at the blank piece of parchment in front of me. It was meant to be full of present ideas, but remained empty. I tapped my pencil against my chin, beginning to lose complete focus. I looked around my room, desperate for inspiration. All I saw was the framed pressed flowers and art on my walls. I perked up abruptly. I finally had an idea.

It was Christmas Eve and everyone was getting ready for bed, excited for Christmas to come. I clutched the sloppily wrapped box to my chest and tip toed down the hallway to Miss Peregrine’s room. I wanted to give the gift to her away from everyone else in case she hated it or it wasn’t as good as I thought. I knocked on the door, and heard shuffling footsteps a moment after. She opened the door a few seconds later. She was wearing a robe over her nightgown and her raven hair was thrown in a loose braid that reached just above her waist.

“Hello, Y/N. Is something the matter?” She asked, looking worried.

“Oh, no, everything is fine! I just wanted to give you this really quick.” I abruptly handed her the box. “Goodnight!” I whisper-yelled so as to not disturb the others. I walked fast to my room down the hallway, leaving Miss Peregrine standing in her doorway with an amused look on her face. It was very obvious I had no idea how this whole “gift-giving” thing worked.

The next day, everyone awoke early, running downstairs to sit in the parlor to begin exchanging gifts. Miss Peregrine stood at the doorway of her study, waiting for her horde of children to run by before descending the stairs herself, leaving the study door half open. I caught a glance of the gift I gave her hanging up in the study just behind her desk. It was a watercolor painting of a peregrine falcon sitting on a girl’s shoulder. It was a picture of all of us children with our backs facing whoever looked at it. I was in the middle and the falcon sat peacefully on my shoulder, only the falcon was facing the opposite direction. Its facial expression dared anyone to come near. It was a symbol of our protection. A symbol of Miss Peregrine. It was the closest to a family portrait I ever had. I just recently picked up this new hobby of painting, so I wasn’t sure that I could pull it off. I had to admit that it looked amazing in the beautiful, gold frame Miss Peregrine put it in, to hang above her desk for everyone to look at. After a moment I tore my gaze away from the painting and leapt down the stairs to join the others.

After a successful day of gift giving, we all separated to use or decorate with our new things. I got beautiful pressed flowers from Bronwyn to add to my collection and a lovely blue shawl crocheted by Olive. I was standing on my desk chair, carefully taking down my framed flowers so that I could add the new ones I was given when I heard a knock at my door.

“Come in!” I exclaimed, before sitting on my bed and beginning to remove the glass from the frame. Miss Peregrine walks in the room holding a small, wrapped box.

“Y/N I wanted to thank you for the gift you gave me. It’s absolutely beautiful,” she said smiling.

“Oh, I’m so glad you like it! I’ve never done anything so difficult so I was nervous it wasn’t good,” I told her, somewhat distracted by the task at hand.

“It is breathtaking, Y/N. I had no idea you could paint like that!” Miss Peregrine cried in admiration.

“It’s kind of a newly discovered talent, I guess.” I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly.

“Lovely. Well I also wanted to take the opportunity to give you something.” She held out the box. I took it and smiled widely.

“Thank you Miss Peregrine!” I shouted. I hadn’t received many gifts in my life, so getting one from the person I looked up to the most meant the world to me. I could hardly hold back my excitement.

“Shh you’re welcome. Open it!” She hushed, though she was still unable to drop the huge smile on her face. I nodded my head and gingerly began to tear at the wrapping paper to reveal a little black box. I looked up at her with excitement in my eyes. She gestured for me to open the box. I slowly pulled the top off of it to reveal a bronze locket with a raven etched on the front. I gasped and pulled the necklace out of the box. I stared at it in awe while Miss Peregrine sat beside me.

“Here, let me put it on you,” she offered, taking the necklace from me and gesturing for me to turn around. I grinned and pulled my hair to the side while she clasped it behind my neck.

“Wow, it’s amazing!” I admired the locket even more when it was around my neck. Miss Peregrine giggled and put my hair back where it was.

“Yes, it has been with me for many years. It came from a friend of mine before we…lost touch.” She looked down. There was a somber tone in her voice, but I chose not to pry.

“I’m giving this to you because you both share many of the same qualities. To me, this locket represents bravery and strength. Maybe a touch of stubbornness as well.” She chuckled slightly and nudged by shoulder playfully as she mentioned the last part. I smiled and held the locket in my hand.

“Thank you, Miss Peregrine. This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten,” I spoke softly. Leaning my head against her shoulder while she stroked my hair.

“You’re quite welcome, my dear. Just don’t tell the others I gave it to you. I wouldn’t want to cause a squabble!” She jested.

“Yes, Miss P,” I snickered.

#mphfpc #mphfpc reader insert #miss peregrine x reader #miss peregrine imagine #alma peregrine #mphfpc fanfic #miss peregrines home for peculiar children

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treesandwords · 2 years ago

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The Dalion Family For Dummies Anyone But Me Who hasn't Memorized The Entire Inner Worlds of These Freaks (good please don't do that you'll regret it)

Jamos

Military Dad ™

Needs to chill

HATES magic like really an absurd amount. For a guy who scoffs at anyone showing emotion ever he needs to calm the fuck down.

Has 9 kids. Also has zero idea how to interact with children. Maybe this was a bad idea.

~trauma~

But he never talks about it because it "doesn't matter" except it Very Much Did Fuck Him Up

Technically probably a war criminal but got away with it

"Not everyone is EXACTLY like me with all my same views and values???? what is this?? Something's wrong with everyone but me I guess???"

Scarily good at convincing people to do what he needs them to do

"I wish we could go back to the Good Old Glorious Days of our former empire when *checks notes* my people definitely weren't constantly at war and in much worse conditions than they are now"

Everything even remotely personal is a secret. If it's not one it should be.

Collects weird shit and pretends not to

Katrine

Mom

Screaming internally

The backbone of this family istg

Does things for The Aesthetic

Obsesses over the latest fashion trends

Pretends to know what she's doing. Does not in fact know what she's doing.

Yup that's me. You're probably wondering how I got into this situation.

Re: overseeing the leader of a foreign party of rebels from the country you're currently at war with making a formal oath with your daughter & signing contracts in blood

WILL organize a party even if literally everything is in shambles because that's what you do

Laedir

Traumatized oldest son trying to pretend he's not traumatized

Loves his wife

Would honestly just rather let her do everything because she's better at it

Horses Make More Sense Than People

His horse is his best friend

(his horse might be his only friend)

(I am now realizing Laedir is a horse girl)

Zones out during important meetings

Sad Conflicted Boy

Needs a hug

Plagued by intrusive thoughts

Hates water (for good reason)

Quinnton

A himbo honestly

Doesn't have a clue what's going on most of the time but pretends to

The supportive brother

Tries to be cool

Long hair

Has a good heart, just doesn't think things through most of the time

Charms everybody

Ghost story teller extraordinaire

Absolutely adores his dad and older brother

The Cool Brother to Laedir's Nerd Brother

Jock

He & his mom are holding this family together

Gevin

Edgy

Depressed Thot ™

Secretly writes emo poetry but nobody knows that

Scares kids on purpose

Probably gay

Drawn to the ~forbidden lore~~

Convinced everyone hates him. Pretends to roll with it and embrace his role as "everybody's villain" but actually is dying inside

(And actually most people *don't* hate him, he's just kind of a dick and if he was less of a dick they would show that??? boy no offence but you're dumb [affectionate])

Girlbosses too close to the sun

Polyglot prodigy

Fights with his twin in other languages so no one knows how badly they're swearing at each other

Tall af

Carries around a fancy knife at all times for The Vibes. Yes that is an actual and ultimately very emotional plot point.

Bronwyn

The other twin

Honestly? An icon

Angry

Does what she's supposed to but really, really doesn't want to

Also a polyglot

Delays marriage as long as possible because she is definitely just freaked out by the idea of being forced into a maternal role and definitely doesn't also have zero interest in men

Though she does sleep with a guy she's not supposed to just for the sake of having a Dirty Little Secret

Tries to go to college but fails the application (basically)

...and ends up going off into the woods to hang out with a bunch of lady druids

Mad at everyone and also trying so hard to love them

Makes her own clothes

Ciaran

Does not give a single fuck

Probably only likes like 2 people

He's a nerd and then you dig a little deeper and turns out!! He's a bigger nerd than you'd even imagined

Knows exactly what he wants

And what he wants is to live in the woods and never speak to another human again, which he can't have, therefore, rage

Short

Annoyed about being short

Blunt

Does actually care about the people you'd least expect him to care about, but doesn't like showing it

Kind of mean to his siblings but they can't take him seriously bc he's basically a grumpy toad

Jerod

My boy!!

Loves everyone (at first)

They do not always reciprocate

Such a simp honestly

Isn't as honest as he'd like to be

He's so open and innocent that you'd think he'd be, but this boy spends like half the book Telling Lies

Sort of a kleptomaniac??

Like. Has drawers and boxes full of random stuff he finds and picks up that usually doesn't appear to belong to anyone. Usually.

Procrastinates

Has Visions ™

Runs from his problems

BLIND to flirtatious behaviour

"Am I the only one who feels [x way] and therefore obviously Insane, or does everyone else feel it too and they're just lying to me??"

I've said this before but !! Ace king!!!!

Scared of snakes

Germaphobe

Honestly so so unhealthy oh my god

Cassian

Love me love me love me

Seriously needs attention All The Time

Great with little kids

Very gay

Wishes everyone would Just Lighten Up Dammit

But also Feels intensely

The one who tries so hard to make everyone else happy, also the one who needs very badly for someone to try to make *him* happy and isn't getting that

Super supportive, gives long motivational talks at 1 am probably

Cannot take criticism

Wants to be useful

Does what he's supposed to but in a cool way

Able to speak his mind w/o being a dick

Always sees the good in people even if they've shown him otherwise

Nurei

Fashion Queen

The one everyone likes

Smol

A little self conscious

The party planner

Gets along with almost anybody & brings out the best in them

Honestly a great friend

Ok she's a kind of mean to her little sister though

(but they end up friends)

Horrible immune system

Never really stretches her comfort zone. Is ok letting herself be told what to do and not questioning things

Very compassionate but not very emotional

Esme

Cries

When she's angry, when she's sad, when she's happy etc. there will be tears

Also needs Attention

Bad at math

Does whatever the fuck she wants

Bugs her siblings so much but is also so loveable

Is secretly terrified of not being "enough"

Major anxiety

Would probably be an activist

Will call people out with zero shame

Fear of abandonment

Rips up barbies (or Fantasy Medieval World equivalent) & teaches her impressionable nieces how to also rip up barbies

Taglist: @kaatiba

#wip: sons of the summer king #writing #my writing #wips #fantasy writing #fantasy wip #writeblr #sotsk #cotmw #children of the mage wars #sons of the summer king #sotsk oc tag #oops got carried away #well anyway here they are #@kaatiba I keep forgetting to add u sowwy

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fatimasamilin · 2 years ago

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One of us is lying.

Everyone has a secret, right?

Bronwyn, The Brain, is Yale-bound and never breaks a rule

Addy, The Beauty, is the picture-perfect homecoming princess

Nate, The Criminal, is already on probation for dealing

Cooper, The Athlete, is the all-star baseball pitcher

Simon, The Outcast, is the creator of Bayview High's notorious app.

Karen McManus

One of Us Is Lying is a young adult, mystery/suspense novel by American author Karen M. McManus. The book is her debut novel, originally published in the US by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House, on 30 May 2017.

Karen McManus's, One of us is lying, can be a critique of any kind of critical approach, such as the Formalism Approach, Psychological Criticism, and Reader Response Criticism. They used a formalism approach for any kind of story, the focus of an argument of language, rather than on the implications of the words. It emphasizes explication or "close reading" of "the work itself, it was used on any kind of structure of each scene, in terms of point of view, characters, tone, and other elements that used in the novel " It has a special meaning as a technical term in discussions of narrative works. It refers to the particular mode of access or window through which the author (not a character) decides to disclose the explicit facts that together constitute the story. In narration (stories) we have a narrator. What kind of narrator we have determines the point of view of the story (not of a character).

Psychological Criticism is the way they analyzed the work of a particular writer through a psychological lens. What is the motive of a writer and the characters. Through the novel it is giving a intense and shocking scene that will make our mind blown, in any assorted chapters, there are things that how the author lies on us, how the text lie on us and how the reader lies on text, for instance on the story cited below

"Simon lacing his own water with peanut oil, the student's death was suicide after the nurse's office revealed a record of Simon bringing more Epipens into school to ensure someone could save him, but Jake saw an opportunity, he stole all the Epipens in the nurse's office and frame you, Addy, while taking over Simon's Gossip app." (McManus, 2017:327)

It means that, "Simon" do this to think that if someone was gonna save him, but in all of his preparation, "Jake" saw this as an oppurtunity.

So if we use a psychological theory like Erikson's theory,( man v.s man) based on the cited story below

Jake and Simon were once friend?

It means that, the development of personality of both characters were depended directly on the resolution of existential crises like trust, reflection, identity and contribution.

Since it was said in the story that Simon and Jake parted ways on middle school, Jake being a jock and Simon being alone, this might be really a example for reflection and identity.

And if we use the Psychological Questions, we can determine, if whom amomg the two is the victim and the antagonist.

Reader Response Criticism is a school literary theory that focuses on the reader(or audience) and their experience of a literary work. In contrast to other schools and theories that focus attention primarily on the author or the content and form of the work. As how, i can construct the words that the author writes in the book, and i was imagining what was on the text

"He drops the cup, and i roll my eyes at his attempt at drama. Even when he falls to the floor,I still think he's messing around. But then the wheezing starts"(McManus, 2017:12)

So in the text, i really feel anxious, because as i myself witness this kind of experience, back then when i was on 5th grade, the panicked that i experience was the same as Addy, the character of the story, who i really feel burden and stays on the side, crying

But the parademics was on time, and she was saved.

SUMMARY

Bayview High: it is a place obsessed with gossip, and controlled by a resident rumor-monger who deals in people’s secrets and lies. Though Simon inflicts stress, humiliation, and pain on his classmates, he sees his work as a “service,” and takes pride in exposing people’s darkest secrets; any collateral damage they suffer, he sees as their problem, not his.

Bronwyn, a brainy student dedicated to her extracurricular activities, is not usually—if ever—in detention. The novel begins on a day that is not like any other at Bayview, and the events about to unfold will be similarly singular and disorienting. The great irony of Bayview High though it’s a place steeped in gossip and rumors, many of which are fueled by the rampant and ubiquitous use of social media and technology, some teachers like Avery have had enough. This passage sets up one of the novel’s central mysteries: someone put a fake phone in Bronwyn’s bag to get her into trouble, and as readers will soon see, she is not the only victim of this questionably intentioned prank. An atmosphere of finger-pointing and assigning blame quickly descends upon the room as the students gathered for detention try to make sense of the strange circumstances that brought them here. Whether this group will overcome their judgments of one another and work together to solve this mystery will become one of the novel’s most crucial plot points.

Avery’s stubborn hatred of all things technological causes him to turn a blind eye to his students’ pleas; he clearly doesn’t trust or respect them and certainly doesn’t take them seriously. How adults underestimate or judge teens is a central theme throughout the novel, and it starts with Avery’s willful ignorance of his students’ actual issues. This passage roots in the inner lives of the four central characters. Though Cooper, through Bronwyn’s eyes, is introduced as a stereotypical jock, the perspective switch to his point of view allows him a chance to show how his life and his thoughts are deeper and more complex than they seem at first glance.

In a mystery like this, characters’ reactions to pain and violence might be clues to their involvement—or lack thereof. McManus will continue toying with the truth as the novel progresses, forcing her characters to consider how everything they say, do or feel reflects on perceptions of their guilt or innocence.

For someone with as serious an allergy as Simon, this weakness would have been common knowledge throughout a school—especially one as gossip-oriented as Bayview. Cooper and Addy were the only two people in detention who have a connection to one another outside the bounds of that room, and this passage serves to show how close they are and how tight-knit their insular, popular friend group is. Simon’s death throws his status at Bayview into a new light.

Though his app was hated, it wasn’t inaccurate; Simon clearly had his finger on the pulse of what was going on at Bayview and knew intimately many unpleasant details from his classmates’ lives. He was a controversial and not well-liked figure, but even someone like Bronwyn, who condemns rumors and gossip, could see that Simon had at least some kind of integrity in his “service.” Though Simon wasn’t well-liked while he was alive, he’s certainly being mourned in death. McManus is exploring the effect death has on a community—even one like Bayview, where many people don’t seem to like or trust one another.

Bronwyn is so shocked and disoriented by her tangential role in what has happened to Simon that she feels disconnected from things that mattered to her just a day ago. This rapid change is part of McManus’s dissection of high-school stereotypes; when emotions run as high as they do at Bayview, nobody can stay the same for long, even if others try to impress an identity upon them. Bronwyn is changing; between what happened in detention and the connection she shared with Nate in the parking lot. She’s learning to see past the harmful divisions that rule her school and examine individuals for who they truly are, not for what others have told her about them.

Bronwyn is a textbook overachiever with lofty goals for her future. This passage shows, though, that perhaps the way she has maintained her squeaky-clean image and the perfect record has actually been less than admirable. Despite the relative lack of common ground they share, Addy, Nate, Cooper, and Bronwyn are being thrown together time and time again in the wake of what has happened; soon, the divisions between them will morph and dissolve, though they are all still relatively committed to playing their “roles."

The circumstances of Simon’s death—already odd to begin with—are now being cast as suspicious and perhaps even malicious.

The important fact of that cell phone

Nate, the rebel of the group, will admit that not only was he connected to Simon’s app, but he believes that all of his classmates have something to hide. This seems to be true from the expressions on everyone’s faces, but the climate of gossip, secrets, and lies at Bayview has warped everyone’s perceptions of how precious their private secrets are. This passage shows how much Cooper’s family has sacrificed, hoping to secure a better future for Cooper—he stands to lose it all if the investigation into Simon’s death takes a sharp turn and attempts to implicate someone from detention.

This passage shows that despite his clean, all-American jock image, Cooper is also hiding something serious—and even, seemingly, living a kind of double life that undermines everything readers know to be true of his outward-facing persona.

Addy is clearly feeling stressed about the fracas surrounding Simon’s death. In this passage, she attempts to piece together the disparate threads and unlikely connections surrounding Simon’s death. She knows Simon wanted love, attention, and popularity—but judging from Bronwyn and other people’s reactions to his death, he could never achieve those things with any of his classmates.

The incident is initially thought to be an accident, but after a Tumblr post alleging that Simon's death was premeditated and the murderer watched him die is shared, the police look into the incident and discover an unpublished post by Simon that contains the secrets of the other four students. Each of the secrets would affect the students' futures: Bronwyn's cheating on a test might affect her college applications; Nate's repeated infractions might land him in jail; Addy's infidelity might cause her relationship with Jake to fall apart, and Cooper's potential baseball career might be put on hold because of the allegation of steroid use. The four are initially wary of one another but develop a tighter relationship because of their shared interests. As they were called a "Bayview Four"

The Mikhail Powers investigates site has a thousand comments about the Bayview Four. (Kind of dull name would've expected better from a top-ranked news magazine). Some call for jail time. Some rail about how spoiled and entitled kids are today, and how another example of that.

It's a great story: four good-looking, high-profile students all being investigated for murder. And nobody's what they seem.

The pressure's on now, Bayview Police. Maybe you should look a little closer at Simon's old entries. You might find some interesting hints about the Bayview Four.

Just Saying. (McManus, 2017:184)

After Simon's funeral, his post is leaked and the rest of the school learns the four's secrets, which have the following effects: Bronwyn's parents are disappointed; Nate's house is searched for drugs; Addy's relationship ends, and Cooper's performance is investigated. The investigation garners media attention. This leads Maeve, Bronwyn's younger sister, to go into Simon's online activities, which reveals an initial post about Cooper that was originally encrypted as well as Simon's participation in massacre-worship sites, where he makes a similar wish known.

Addy befriends Janae, Simon's friend. Bronwyn and Nate return to the latter's home to avoid the media and find his mother, whom he claimed was dead, but who had in fact suffered from bipolar disorder and drug addiction and subsequently moved to Oregon, leaving Nate and his father behind. She claims to now be sober and wishes to reconcile with her son and help. The police opened the encrypted file regarding Cooper, revealing that the steroid accusations are false and that Cooper is actually gay. This outs him, causing a rift between Cooper and his father, who is homophobic.

When Cooper is bullied verbally in the cafeteria after it leaks this news, Nate defends him, and the group sits together, demonstrating their new solidarity and friendship. Evidence is found tying Nate to the murder, and he is arrested. Bronwyn contacts Eli Kleinfelder, a lawyer she saw on television defending the 'Bayview Four' on the crime show 'Mikhail Powers Investigates', asking him to help. Janae hasn't been at school for a week and isn't responding to texts, so Addy goes to her home, where Janae confesses Simon had been frustrated and angry for years that he wasn't more important in high school, and so he rigged the Junior prom to become King. Jake heard him bragging about the plan and Simon was afraid he would be exposed, so he told Jake about Addy's infidelity with TJ.

Simon then enlisted Jake's help with his suicide plan, telling Jake he could get even by framing Addy as Simon's murderer. Janae was supposed to plant the evidence on Addy, but when she couldn't bring herself to do it, she planted it on Nate instead. Jake has been harassing Janae for ruining the plan, and he arrives while Addy is still there. Addy attempts to record the conversation, but her phone rings, drawing Jake's attention. Jake tried to kill Addy by hitting her over the head with a rock as she ran into the woods.

"Something presses across my neck and I'm choking. I can't see anything, but I can hear. , "You should be in jail instead of Nate, Addy," Jake Snarls as I claw at his hands. "But this works too".

(McManus, 2017:331)

Cooper saved Addy, who had accompanied her to the house, and saw Jake arrive. Jake is taken into custody and Nate is released but is shaken from his time in the juvenile detention center, rejecting Bronwyn's concern and breaking off their relationship. Addy heals in the hospital and after, Ashton asks Addy to live with her, which Addy happily accepts. Cooper's college options reappear and his relationship with his father improves.

Bronwyn applies to Yale and begins dating Evan Neiman, another student, though she does not consider it serious. She later finds Nate waiting for her after a major piano recital when he apologizes for dismissing her. The story ends as she accepts his offer to a movie, leaving the door open for a future relationship.

MY REVIEW

You naturally want to keep reading because the book isn't very long, and the plot isn't clichéd to learn who did the murder. It's not the book where you can figure out whodunit is right away; instead, McManus keeps you guessing right up to the very end. The structure of "One of Us is Lying" is distinct.

Instead of using a narrator, the story is told through the perspectives of the four murder suspects. We learn more about each character's personality and get a glimpse into their personal lives from their points of view. The storyline is uncertain. Throughout the novel, McManus keeps readers on their toes. I had suspicions about one student at one point, but in the chapter after that,

I just stopped knowing after suspecting another. This anecdote also shows how people frequently adapt to social norms and how being authentic can lead to judgment. It illustrates how things don't always turn out the way you want them to and the flaws in life. Readers can relate to the characters since it is realistic. Since the book's main characters are high school students, it applies to them. Although there are many turns and turns in the book, the Bayview Four's rocky paths eventually become smooth. Although the characters face many challenges throughout the narrative, they find solutions and everyone receives the satisfaction they deserve.

I enjoyed how suspenseful the story was, and how relatable the characters were. Characters that appear stereotypical at first quickly become layered and complex. One of Us Is Lying explores important themes for high schoolers such as the impact that lies and gossip can have on others. There is a mix of suspense, mystery, and romance, making this book an interesting read for most teenagers. One of Us is Lying is set to become a television series later this year, so I would highly recommend reading this book before then! One of Us is Lying" is an excellent book overall with a unique plot. There aren't many books that can keep me from constantly checking the time, but this one was so captivating that I really forgot how much time had passed.," One of Us is Lying" is unquestionably a novel you should check out if you want to read something thrilling but not overly laborious.

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laoih · 2 years ago

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Review of "The Rings of Power": Episode 5

Part 2: Lack of coherence

It can be easily shown why The Rings of Power fails as an adaptation, and I have spoken about one of these aspects in the first part of the review.

But what is almost more disappointing is that it fails as its own story as well. If you watch it without much thought it may be entertaining, but on closer inspection the holes in this series' logic become very visible.

In this episode, the The Rings of Power moves through five different plotlines: Galadriel & Halbrand in Númenor, Isildur in Númenor, Elrond & Co. in Lindon, Arondir & Bronwyn (and Adar) in the Southlands, and the Harfoots. Unfortunately, none of these storylines receive the attention and care that they need. Even removed from Tolkien, the storylines continue to make no sense on their own.

The show can look pretty, but unfortunately the writing is bad.

Let's start with the positive...

...because that won't take long.

The show had some nice visuals once more – like the Stranger looking up to the stars, or Elrond looking up to the stars. Generally, the evening atmosphere in Lindon was nicely set up.

Story-wise I liked in this episode was:

Exploring how and why some Men side with the Orcs, and the guilt that may come with that. So far it's only a superficial exploration because the plot to explore this lies with the people in the Southlands, while the emotional part is hinted at by Halbrand. This could be interesting if done right. It's barely used potential, and I don't really trust the show to do it any justice. But at least it's a good idea in theory.

Poppy's and Nori's song is sweet and fits: Tolkien's work is full of music, and the Hobbits are known to sing songs during walks. There is also a nice callback to the line of "not all those who wander are lost". I would enjoy the reference even more if the show was actually revering Tolkien's work and not ignore, break or twist it as they have done it in this episode, as I have pointed out in part 1 of this review.

Pharazôn gets a scene with his son that lays out his motivation a bit more.

Arondir and Theo have a scene together that was quite nice for both of their characters, and Theo finally shows his evil sword to someone. I've been waiting for this ever since he found it, and I'm glad this isn't dragged out any longer.

A nice scene. But how did Arondir get his armour back?

Galadriel has a bit of a more honest emotional moment when she speaks with Halbrand, and in theory this could be a good moment. However, I only mention it because it is technically a good idea. In reality, a) I no longer care for Galadriel as a character in this show and so therefore the moment doesn't work, b) it is set in context of Gil-galad's dumb storyline and is therefore buildt on nonsense and c) within the scene she still tries to manipulate Halbrand and continues to be annoying. Too little, too late.

Now on to the stupid part of the show...

The Lindon plot:

Gil-galad's non-existent logic

This is directly connected to the dumb lore break that I've pointed out in the first part. I'll try to sum up the situation from his perspective as it's presented by the show:

Gil-galad noticed the blight upon the tree and takes it as an "outer manifestation of [the] inner reality" that the light of the Eldar is fading.

This was first noticed shorty before Galadriel had returned from her expedition.

Gil-galad then assumed that Galadriel's unrest and search for Sauron were the reason for this decline and so he send her away in the hope that this would stop the decay.

However, it seems that he wasn't too convinced that this would work, because right after Galadriel had left he sent Elrond to Celebrimbor, who was also aware of the issue.

We have to assume that at this point Gil-galad already suspected that the Dwarves had found mithril, and that it might help against the decline.

So his plans with Elrond have had to look like this: if Celebrimbor gives him a deadline for his tower, Elrond will reach out to the Dwarves he is friends with and then start spying on them, so that eventually Gil-galad can confirm his suspicion about the mithril.

Amazon's Gil-galad is among the worst characters of this show.

This whole train of thought is stupid. And it wouldn't even get Gil-galad any closer to the mithril. In fact, I believe asking for it openly would be a more sensible step. There has been no sign that the Dwarves are in any way hostile or especially cruel, so would they deline to help the Elves and all of them to die even though they could have helped? Surely not. So why didn't Gil-galad ask? Noone knows.

Furthermore, when speaking with Elrond, Gil-galad argues that without the Elves, "the armies of darkness will march over the face of the earth". So if Gil-galad accepts the existance of these armies, why send Galadriel away? Why wouldn't he consider their existence to be a reason for the decline? And how are the Elves are supposed to stop these armies, if even as little as Galadriel's expedition is already suspected of causing the blight on the tree? And did Gil-galad know that there are armies of darkness out there and still declared peace? How are the Elves supposed to protect Middle-earth if they turn a blind eye to the approaching darkness?

Or does Gil-galad still believe there is no evil in Middle-earth and they can truly have peace now? Why would he then worry about the fate of Middle-earth if there is no threat? What are they supposed to fight?

Gil-galad is holding two contradicting opinions at once, and it just doesn't work and undermine this whole plotline. It simply creates artificial drama, but does not work as a story at all.

Elrond's oath

This storyline was one of the aspect I kind of liked so far, because oaths have significance in Tolkien's stories and it was nice that the show was addressing that.

Unfortunately it was only nice until they completely butchered the implementation of this topic in this episode:

First there is the forced drama about Gil-galad wanting Elrond to break his oath just to confirm that the Dwarves have mithril. It's stupid because it's unnecessary: Gil-galad already suspects that the Dwarves have found it, and Elrond simply didn't want to confirm or deny it. But even if Elrond did it wouldn't change anything – Gil-galad wouldn't be any closer to actually getting the mithril. So with the knowledge that there might be mithril in Moria he could just inform Elrond that they need it in case it exists, and based on this information Elrond can take his own actions, just as he actually did. There is no reason at all for Elrond to break his oath, and for Gil-galad to demand it is stupid.

But it gets worse because Elrond actually and casually breaks his oath, and the show isn't even aware of it. Elrond when swearing his oath said that noone but him would hear what Durin said to him, yet he gave Celebrimbor the small piece of mithril that he had, along with the information that it's mithril and where it's coming from.

"Here, Celebrimbor. this is the ore that I'm not supposed to talk about."

And then he still wonders whether or not he should break his oath or doom his people? It's too late to ask that question because healready broke the oath when telling Celebrimbor about the mithril. And with that, the whole plotline about the oath goes down the drain.

And last but not least: this is the second time that Celebrimbor randomly brings up Elrond's father. It starts to annoy me because as before if doesn't really make any sense nor does it further Celebrimbor's character. It feels either like a setup for something later on (in which case it's a poorly written setup because if doesn't feel organic in the context of the scene) or it's some form of manipulation that Celebrimbor is doing with Elrond... in which case it's still confusing.

The Númenor plot:

Where to start...

Galadriel, as always, is the biggest issue in the Númenorean plotlines. This time, it's her repulsive attempts to manipulate and control Halbrand:

She constantly tries to tell him what to do and what to think, what his desires for his future should be an how he should find his inner peace, disregarding how she spent centuries on trying to find peace and failed. She uses him and his country as a motivation for Míriel and Pharazôn to fight against the Orcs and then tries to frame it as Halbrand using her. Once she no longer gets around with her lies and needs Halbrand actually to work with her, she apologises to him only out of calculation: she wants him to cooperate, so she tries to play nice for a little while. Her "sorry" is quickly followed by a "help me".

Why Halbrand is still even talking to Galadriel is a mystery.

There is one moment where they come to speak more about her, and the scene came close to her having some self-realisation, but in the end still don't get any real answer as to why she cannot stop fighting. She notes that her soldiers mutinied against her, that her "closest friend" and her king exiled her, and that apparently she has touched so much darkness that those people around her can "no longer distinguish [her] from the evil [she] was fighting". But is this realisation followed by any consequences? No, she stays on her path of touching darkness to find the light, on her path to continue fighting.

Now granted: Orcs are really out there, and since Gil-galad's plot makes no sense, the impact his plotline has on Galadriel makes no sense either. It's not wrong to oppose the "armies of darkness", but it's stupid to assume that it will bring her peace if it hasn't done that for centuries. I also resent the idea of touching darkness to find the light: according to Galadriel it's currently doing more harm than good in relation to her own people, and generally it's just a really bad advice? There are many dangers and temptations in Middle-earth that cannot be avoided, but the wise usually can be recognised because they can recognise evil when it presents themselves. At least that is what Tolkien's wise characters did: reject the One Ring because they knew it would lead them on a dark path.

According to the try-and-error motto of Amazon's Galadriel, she would have taken the One Ring when Frodo offers it to her, and indeed become a dark queen.

Maybe this character will develop in future seasons, but in this first season she is the worst kind of main character they could have gone for.

I also want to mention the fight scene for a moment: it surely was better than her other fight scenes so far, but it was completely pointless: we didn't learn anything about her character or about the other characters involved, and at best it showed us that the Númenorean army is a joke. It seemed to be in there only to once again show the audience how awesome Galadriel apprently is, but I'm not buying it. A thousands of years olf Elf against some noobs – this is not impressive.

Halbrand is now both a smith and a lord. For the smithing he got a crest for after telling Pharazôn in prison where Galadriel would go, and he is recognised as a lord because Galadriel found a king's crest that matches the mark that Halbrand carries around.

This development is barely addressed and can only be taken from a few remarks of Halbrand, Galadriel and Míriel. It's a jump in this character's story, but considering all the other flaws the episode has this is a rather minor issue.

What bothers me, however, is that everyone just takes this development without any further questions. Halbrand has denied being a king, yet Galadriel insists on it. Míriel believes Galadriel in this, but hasn't talked to Halbrand about it since Galadriel keeps interrupting. They get Halbrand's intel about the Orcs in the Southlands, and rely on it for their war planning. Nobody questions how he got out on the sea or why he didn't warn anyone about it. They don't actually know anything about him but what he tells them and what Galadriel assumes, yet they build an entire expedition on his intel.

I still don't know what to think of this character.

Because here is the thing: Halbrand implies that he has done horrible things that he would like to forget, maybe including collaboration with Orcs. But this once again hints at the Orcs being around for quite some time now, and yet nobody has warned anyone – not the Elves in Ostirith nor the other human villages in the Southlands.

How does "evil being a thing of the past" and Halbrand's horrible past fit together? I mean, assuming that he is his own character and not Sauron? It really doesen't, and Halbrand telling Galadriel "I'm sorry. For your brother. For all of it." just once more hints at him being Sauron – or once again a red herring.

Isildur's plot is just painful to watch. I suppose they want to paint him in a very bad light, so they are succeeding in what they are doing. But they aren't good at showing what motivates him.

He wanted to get kicked out of the Sea Guard, but now he wants to join the expedition to Middle-earth because he wants to do something worthy of Númenor.

Why? This change of heart is never explained. Because his friends got angry at him? This can hardly be the case because it wouldn't fix his previous mistake, and his friends are already settled. Because he is assamed of his actions? This can't be the reason either because he still tries to cheat his way onto the list by appealing to his father and his friends, and later by hiding on the ship.

So far neither his previous reason for wanting to get kicked out of the Sea Guard is explained (wanting to find the "true west" is never explained either so it doesn't work as character motivation) nor his his change of heart now. This character remains unexplained, and it's simply not good story telling.

Eärien is the most random character in this episode: she shows up in a few places but barely does anything there and we don't really get a grip of why she is there either or how she feels about what is happening in these places. We can get the impression that she may be on the side that stands against the Elves and so is politically opposed to Elendil and Isildur, but in general her appearance in the episode is just irritating.

Appearing in random places with nothing to do: Eärien.

Maybe they'll do more with the character later on and just try to set up the character, but it's once again done in a weird way: as a character she seems pointless, and she's not integrated well enough in the rest of the plot to work as a side character.

The Southlands plot:

Adar's ultimatum is discussed in the episode. Half of the people stay, half of the people want to join Adar, and nobody consideres leaving the area altogehter. Why?

Halbrand and the other refugees obviously left, and Arondir should have some place where the Elves were supposed to go to. Theo even asks Arondir why he isn't leaving, and the question should rather be: why aren't they all leaving? Shouldn't they at least try and leave, reporting the Orcs to other Men or Elves so that they are prepared? Why stay there and get slaughtered? And if they somehow can't but Arondir can, shouldn't he get some help? He alone won't make a difference against all the Orcs, but getting the word out about their presences could save lives. And what about the Elvish occupiers, where they all killed? How? When? Were there only the few seen in the Orc camp? How where they able to subdue the Men in the Southlands for so long? And if there's more, haven't they noticed the absence of their captured people? Shouldn't Gil-galad receive their warning right now, given how fast the message of "peace" was delivered in the first episode?

Bronwyn has an unexplained change of heart as well in this episode: first she wants to fight and resist, and calls on the others to do the same. Once Arondir shows her the sword, she is immediately ready to give up. Is this the sword already working on her, or do the writers just not care any longer?

Then there is also the question why she told her people of the ultimatum in the first place. If she had convinced them that the Orcs would kill them all and burn down the tower as they did with the burned down village, wouldn't the people be much more willing to fight and to resist?

Why won't you just leave this place?

Arondir somehow knows the sword is a key. How? Where did he get this knowledge? And how come that the Elves knew there was a statue in this watch tower that apparently was showing Sauron, but never tore it down? Why would the Elves keep that statue there for all this time?

Adar wants Waldreg to kill Rowan becaue "only blood can bind". By the logic, half of the humans would have to kill the others, is that what we are supposed to take from this?

There is also the question why Waldreg didn't try to take the sword with him when he left the tower. He expected to see Sauron as the leader of the Orcs, and knows that the sword somehow belongs to Sauron. Why wouldn't he have tried to get the sword so that he could offer it to Sauron?

... and I'm still annoyed that Orcs are vampires in this show. And that Adar's checkbones look really fake, like a blob of papier mâché stuck on his face. Why would the cheeckbone even grow this way...

The Wilderlands plot:

The timeline of the Hobbit plotline is confusing, because this episode makes us believe that quite some time has passed: the Stranger can speak a decent amount of words now, and the way the Harfoots have traveled is quite a distance.

This doesn't match the time that seemed to have passed in Númenor and in the Southlands – there it seems like only days have passed. However, it does match with the plot in Lindon, where at least the traveling between Lindon and Eregion should take some time.

In conclusion: the timeline of this show is a mess, and unlike Tolkien the show's creators don't really bother to keep time and distance consitent in any way.

They really came a long way on their short legs...

Nori's family apparently has caught up with the other Harfoots, but this is never really addressed. They run into each other when the wolves are around, and some people in the caravan continue to be aweful when they suggest to sabotage the cart of Nori's family. Later on Nori reports that the Harfoots see the Stranger in a more positive light now that he has defended them against the Wolves, but this all happens more or less off screen. Since this had been such a drama previously, it's really weird that it's told in passing now.

Nori touching the ice is my last complaint. Girl, what happens there is clearly magical, so you can only blame yourself if you touch the ice without need. You saw the man falling down as a meteor, if this didn't freak you out why would ice do that now? Anyone with a half-rational mind would realise that the Stranger had no evil intent in that scene.

Tl;dr

The writing of this show is weak, often illogical and lacking in coherence. By creating such a fragile and inconsistant foundation, all following seasons will suffer even if they improve the quality of their writing.

#LOTR rings of power #LOTR #LOTR the rings of power #the rings of powers #rings of powers #Silmarils #LOTR TROP #LOTR TROP critical #LOTR TROP review

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elmendea · 2 years ago

Note

"butchered charas, cheesy dialogue, lazy linguistics, rubbery CGI, & subpar costumes"

YOUR WORDS YOU CLOWN

Sanctus fæx, spare me. But okay, let’s break this down, shall we? I’m in serious pain and a vile mood to boot. Let’s have at it.

Firstly, I have, do, and will continue to critique the show on all these points. To wit:

1. butchered characters -- I won’t really be able to tell if a character has been chewed up and spat out and turned into someone else until I watch the actual series. And no, “Galadriel being a warrior” does not count as this, to me. I’ve read enough of the lore to see where that concept could be extrapolated from, and frankly? Galadriel is not actually just a holier-than-thou mystic sorceress we get shown primarily in the Jackson films. By the end of the Third Age she’s been fighting the long defeat and she’s tired. In the Second Age? She still has plenty of fire in her belly and it’s not a leap to imagine she had an axe to grind. Her life during the First Age was a little tempestuous, to put it lightly. When the Valar offered safe passage for the Eldar to get themselves (back) over to Valinor, Galadriel’s response was essentially “nah fam I’m good”. This is a whole post in itself, though, so I’ll leave this here until Friday.

I don’t think a character’s aesthetic can be butchered, technically, since I find it less important than the character’s personality -- see Elrond, for a prime example of my thinking, here. I still have gripes about some of those aesthetics for more-than-aesthetic reasons (the short hair on male elves bothers me a little, not just because I don’t like short hair personally, but because I think it adds to the ever-so-slight gender ambiguity and largely feminine [in a non-gender-essentialist context, and for lack of a better word -- maybe “yin” fits more?] energy of the elves; but using Elrond as an example again: Rob Aramayo’s performance shows this energy, which is what allowed me to set those preferences aside.)

2. cheesy dialogue -- I have called it out when I heard it. Nori’s “there’s wonders in this world beyond our wandering, I can feel it” still makes me cringe. Again, for a more thorough judgement, we’re going to have to wait until Friday. But also, at the same time -- cheesiness can be highly subjective. I’ve had differences of opinion with people who found that line perfectly acceptable.

3. lazy linguistics -- still call it out and always will. To a pernickety point, I’ll readily admit. I still think “Elanor Brandyfoot” is the laziest effing name anyone could come up with (no hobbits had been named Elanor BEFORE Sam and Frodo visited Lothlórien, that’s kind of the whole thing -- and Elanor Gamgee’s nickname was “Elanorellë”, not Nori, which has obviously already been used for a dwarf), hobbits didn’t seem to use surnames or clan names before the settling of the Shire anyway, “Bronwyn” and “Theo” are so incredibly primary world-esque that it actually teeters on breaking immersion (and the “they might be ancestors of the Rohirrim” doesn’t really fly, either, as the Rohirrim are canonically descended from the Northmen). Lissincë, I’m a linguist in training, and that is ENTIRELY the fault of Tolkien’s Legendarium. This is my jam. You think for one minute that I won’t be annoyingly nitpicky about names, even if I enjoy the show?

4. rubbery CGI -- have called it out and will continue to do so. The first trailer, to me, was not their finest offering in the CGI department. The subsequent teasers and trailers have improved vastly, but I’ve never hesitated to point out what seems a little too CGI-heavy for my own liking. But again: this can be quite subjective. A lot of people hated the use of heavy CGI in The Hobbit films; I personally wasn’t terribly bothered by it.

5. subpar costumes -- not once, not once, have I been impressed with the show’s costuming. I have made that blazingly obvious, repeatedly. The closest I can come to actually liking the costuming choices is thinking the dwarvish costumes seem fairly solid and Dísa’s makeup is actually flawless for a dwarf princess. As I said above, I still dislike short hair on male elves. I was astonished in the worst way when I first saw pictures of Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor -- how they made such a ridiculously handsome man look so utterly downright dowdy is beyond me. I stand by that. I continue to be unimpressed with the costuming on this show. I really, really hope in later seasons (or even episodes) it improves.

I hope that was elucidating for you. 🙄

#rings of power #mauya sárayulda enta...#<-- yeah that's just gonna be my default tag for dealing with tomfoolery from now on

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littledemonlorne · 3 years ago

Text

I posted 9,931 times in 2021

542 posts created (5%)

9389 posts reblogged (95%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 17.3 posts.

I added 861 tags in 2021

#signal boost - 371 posts

#books - 91 posts

#wattpad - 90 posts

#amwriting - 75 posts

#uquiz - 49 posts

#lorne draws - 42 posts

#good omens - 41 posts

#good omens oc - 38 posts

#physical manifestation of feelings - 34 posts

#ainsley - 30 posts

Longest Tag: 111 characters

#or like 'well most mirrors aren't silver backed anymore so i can see myself but i just don't like mirrors dude'

My Top Posts in 2021

You've been visited by the random OC question fairy! :D ~☆

What does your character most regret? Even if it would change who and where they are now, would they travel back in time and change what they regret? Why or why not?

What does your character most regret? Even if it would change who and where they are now, would they travel back in time and change what they regret? Why or why not?:

Ainsley regrets not telling Oscar Wilde his actual feelings. Like the dude had a straight up crush on him for a few years. But didn’t act on them out of fear.

No. Ainsley would not go back in time and tell Oscar how he really felt.

Mostly thanks to homophobia and a lot of other factors. Like Oscar being married, having two kids, and just generally not being a good time to be out. Also Ainsley doubts it would change much. As he was pretty sure they were nothing more than friends.

8 notes • Posted 2021-04-11 07:01:26 GMT

Teenie Snake Form

Ainsley:*sees Crowley in his huge snake form*...does he do that often?

Aziraphale:*nods* Only when he's tired or just not feeling his human form. Haven't you ever done that?

Ainsley:*thinking it over* Uh, no? Now I gotta! *grinning before shifting into his own snake form and it's super tiny*.....sssshit....

Aziraphale:*inwardly dying of laughter and thinking he looks adorable*

12 notes • Posted 2021-05-26 03:20:36 GMT

You've been visited by the random OC question fairy! :D ~☆

Does your character have a good relationship with their parents? Are there any parental figures that aren't related to them in their life?

Does your character have a good relationship with their parents? Are there any parental figures that aren't related to them in their life?:

Bronwyn has a really good relationship with her Makers. (Technically can call them her Moms’ but she wasn’t actually born)

She’s had a few humans in her life who’ve acted as parental figures. Though she’s stopped trying to foster this for reasons. One being that humans live only a hundred years or so. And that was kind of difficult to deal with. Like kid dealing with a pet dying hard to deal with.

14 notes • Posted 2021-04-16 05:15:48 GMT

Meeting Gabriel VS Meeting Ligur and Hastur ll Human!Au

Gabriel:*brought some candy and a pink teddy bear* So, Aziraphale. Where's the little one? I can hardly wait to meet her.

Aziraphale:*not amused and has repeatedly said that Ainsley is a boy to him* Him. You mean him. Ainsley's a boy. And he's in the living room.

Gabriel:*waving it off and goes to see Ainsley as he's coloring* Hello, little one. I'm your Uncle Gabriel. *holding up the pink teddy bear for Ainsley*

Ainsley:*immediately creeped out and goes to find Aziraphale* ZIZI!! HELP ME!!

Gabriel:...was it something I said?

____________________

Ligur:*bringing a creepy skeleton plushie* Are you sure children like these? It might be too scary.

Hastur:*shrugs* Pretty sure. Crowley says he likes snakes. He might like a skeleton. *knocks on the door and frowns when Crowley answers* Hello, Crowley. We've come for the boy.

Crowley:*frowning and moving to the side*...he's in the living room.

Hastur:*moves past him with Ligur to find Ainsley coloring* Hello, child. I'm Hastur and this is Ligur.

Ligur:*kneeling down and holding up the creepy looking plushie* We're your uncles and we got a prezzie for ya.

Ainsley:*takes it and looks the plushie over* He's so ugly. *pauses for a second and makes both men nervous* I love him! Wanna color with me?

Hastur:*sits down near him* Of course we do. Right, Ligur?

Ligur:*same* Definitely.

15 notes • Posted 2021-03-25 04:28:47 GMT

Love is in the air. Good thing I’m already wearing masks in public.

20 notes • Posted 2021-02-10 01:01:48 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

#my 2021 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #long post/#I just got curious about this guys

0 notes

msilwrites · 8 years ago

Text

A True Gentleman, Chapter 12

A/N: Chapter 12 is up! We continue right where we left off. This is a little long by the way.

My apologies for the late update. Was really busy at work (TT___TT). But I’ll try my best to update more often.

Cast:

OC - Diana Ellwood Rutherford Dr. Isaac Skovgaard - Mads Mikkelsen

TWELVE Sexual Tensions and Recollections

Diana sat in front of the bar and ordered a non-alcoholic drink. Finally deciding that she had enough of the wine. Earlier, she came into to a conclusion that it was the cause of her daring actions.

The bartender hands her the sweet drink with a straw, and she thanks him with a smile and a generous tip. Turning around the stool, she saw Isaac from afar, seated with his grandson. He seemed to be trying to hold his laughter and keep a straight face, as the people around him laughed heartily.

Out of curiosity, she decides to head to their direction, but not before ordering another glass of the mocktail, despite not finishing the drink she held.

“Uhhmm… just send it to me over there… thanks!” she instructs the bartender, and he replied with a smile.

Heading off to their direction, she first approached Olivia who was still giggling.

“What’s the commotion about?” she asked curiously.

“Oh! dad here! he got kissed by someone in the dark!” Olivia declared, causing some more chuckles to erupt in the table. Whilst Isaac narrowed his eyes on his daughter, and let out a grunt.

“Oh…” Diana let out and realised that everyone had already found out of that ‘stolen kiss in the dark’. To not be obvious, she then decides to play along. “Did he see her? who is she?”

“Oh, that’s the thing, he did not see who it was!”

“Oh… well, at least your son is there to keep him safe now…” she lets out dryly, causing everyone around to laugh softly, whilst Isaac shook his head and chuckled to himself. His grandson that sat on his lap, seemed oblivious to what was exactly going on.

Diana then pulled a chair beside Isaac, sat down, and made herself comfortable. Listening to the group intently as the topic has changed, much to Isaac’s relief. He didn’t like to get teased the whole night about the kiss that was stolen from him.

“So I hear that something was stolen from you?” she began, feigning innocence with what she had just done earlier.

Isaac shook his head and chortled. “I guess people won’t let me off…”

Diana smiled, curious to find out what Isaac thought of the kiss, especially the fact that she was the ‘thief’ that stole a kiss from him.

“So how do you feel about it?”

“I’d be lying to you if I don’t say I’m flattered and intrigued….” he says honestly.

Diana raised an eyebrow, wanting to find out more. “Flattered? Really? I always took you for a man who never cared for flattery because he is aware of himself…”

Isaac laughed and turned to her, a handsome smile curved on his lips. “ It sounds like you’re telling me that I’m full of myself?”

“I mean… you’re… you’re an attractive man Dr.Skovgaard.” She said a little hesitantly, thinking that he might misinterpret her. “You have this quiet confidence in you…”

Isaac smiles and then looks away. “Thanks, I know…” he replies, making it sound like he was really full of himself, which earned a chuckle from Diana.“But to get a kiss like that from some stranger is still flattering… It’s not every time you get kissed in the dark by a mysterious admirer.”

Diana tore here gaze away from him, as she didn’t want him to see her reaction. She was glad that he wasn’t feeling ‘creeped’ out and was instead ‘flattered’ with what had happened.

“If I do get the chance, I’d like to find out who it was…” he let out.

“What for? It’s not as if she’s going to make herself known,”

“I know… but it never meant that there aren’t other ways to find out?”

“What do you mean?” she asked nervously.

“I have my ways” he smiles and winks at her which caught her off guard before he turned to his sleepy grandson who was seated on his lap.

Diana gulped upon seeing Isaac’s reaction. Could he have known that it was her who stole a kiss from him? No… it couldn’t be, the whole room was pitch black, and eyes won’t adjust to darkness for at least ten minutes.

“Do you have a culprit who did it?”

“Yes…” he answered, and the knowing look he gave her, made her hands grow cold. It was as if he really knew it was her. Was he going to confront her? what would she say? what excuse can she tell him? “That woman over there,” he points to the woman from afar. “She had been ‘leering’ at me ever since earlier.

“Oh… hehehe” she laughs in relief, knowing that Dr. Skovgaard suspected the wrong woman.

The waiter came with the drink she had ordered from the bartender and placed it on the table beside her.

“If you don’t mind… I’m a little thirsty” he said, before taking the drink and drinking it from the straw.

“Sure…” she offered. “I… uhhmmm… nevermind…” she said, looking at him as he drank from the straw. There was a saying she heard when she was young, that when two people share on one straw, it was as if they are kissing. They had already kissed, but she couldn’t help herself and want another one. “You may have it…” She blushed at the thought and tore her gaze away from him.

If it’s about sharing straws, then technically it wasn’t the first kiss

She smiled at herself regarding the silly thought, as she remembers something in the past, how they have first met, and how he had unknowingly caused some sexual tension.

=FLASHBACK=

“Bronwyn! come on! we’re going to be late!” Says Olivia who knocks at the door of her room.

The two young girls hurriedly packed and stuffed their books in their bags, before running down the hallway. However, on the way to the classrooms, they bumped into someone accidentally, which caused that person to fall down on the cold tiled floor.

“I’m so sorry!!” Olivia said apologetically, as Bronwyn tried to pull up and assist the girl. She looked older and taller and must be amongst the senior students of the school. Both girls flinched when she stood up, expecting some scolding from the senior student.

“It’s fine…” the girl said weakly, as she picked up her books, and stuffed it into her bag in an unenthusiastic manner. “You can go, don’t worry…” she says meekly, before turning away and walking off. Catching both girls off-guard.

“We’re sorry!!” Bronwyn and Olivia say apologetically before they ran to the classrooms. The girl gave them a nod of acknowledgement, as she slowly walked along the hallway.

Much to the girls’ relief, they arrived at the classroom right on time, before the teacher started checking their attendance.

The teacher looked at her student list and began calling names.

“Diana Sorcha Mazarine Émeraude Ellwood Rutherford?” The teacher called the last name, however, there was no response. The students looked behind wondering where this mysterious student was, but she was not present anywhere in the room.

However, a few minutes later, before the lesson was about to start, a girl with a gloomy facade entered the room and walked into her seat, unenthusiastic. Olivia and Bronwyn recognised her as the girl they bumped into earlier. They looked at each other and wondered what was a senior student doing here.

“And you are?” the teacher asked, cocking a brow.

“Diana Rutherford…”

Murmurs and whispers started amongst the students. Speculation was being made on the new girl.

“You’re late Ms. Rutherford!” she said turning to the blackboard and wrote the word ‘Introduction’

“I was lost, sorry…” she said weakly and took a seat at the tables behind.

“Alright… let’s begin with introductions…” the teacher then eyes on Diana who sat behind. “Let’s begin with you since you’re late…” she said.

Diana rolled her eyes, as she got up from her seat. It wasn’t the first time she was being singled out in class during the first day of school. The teacher shook her head in disapproval, seeing Diana’s deadpan expression. It seemed that she did not care for consequences.

“Hi… I’m Diana Rutherford…” she began.

“So where are you from Diana?”

“London…” she let out timidly, knowing where this topic was heading.

“So which school were you previously from?” the teacher asked curiously.

“ St Mary’s Shaftesbury… and then Queen Margaret’s…”

Murmurs and assumptions rose amongst the students upon hearing where she came from.

“I see… well then… you may take a seat…” the teacher said and asked no more afterwards. She knew the girl was the oldest in the room, even the faculty had talked about Diana Rutherford. She dropped out of Queen Margaret’s due to bad grades and even repeated a grade twice. Sadly, it was because of ‘depression’ and her family situation. She was obviously a troubled teen, and they are encouraged to help her. After all, this was a job of a teacher.

———-

The school holidays were approaching soon, and Olivia couldn’t be more excited to leave the classrooms and head to a vacation with her family. Despite the fact that all of them drove each other crazy, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Olivia… dad’s here!” Allegra announced, pulling her out of her daydream.

A number of cars waited for the students in the driveway when the two sisters saw their father’s car, they wasted no time and headed straight towards it. The school functioned as a day/boarding school, and both them were enrolled in the day program. Therefore, they didn’t need to sleep in the boarding house.

“How was your day?” Isaac greeted his two daughters as they boarded the car.

“Not good…” Allegra let out tiredly, as she leant herself against the seat of the car. “ We lost at lacrosse….” she mentions the earlier game she had participated in.

“So-So…” Olivia said. “Bronwyn was injured during the soccer game, I had to replace her earlier on, it was a tie with the other house…”

“Any injuries? both of you?” Isaac asked worriedly. Being overly concerned was something natural for a father, like him.

“Naah… we’re good dad…” they said in unison.

“Just hungry… really hungry…” Olivia complained.

“Didn’t you have tea?” Allegra asked her sister.

“I did, but I get hungry easily… I’m a growing girl!” Olivia exclaimed, causing Isaac to chuckle.

“Alright… alright… we’ll eat somewhere nice tonight…” Isaac said, causing both girls to smile in unison. It was no secret that they liked the food. Despite that, they never got fat due to them being active.

Isaac turned the ignition of the car on and drove towards the exit gate of the school. However, a figure suddenly crosses the driveway path, prompting him to immediately hit the breaks. His two daughters were jerked forward, but it was a good thing that the seat belt prevented them from flying out the window.

Like a typical reaction a driver would do, he pressed the car’s horn, making the person almost jump out of her skin.

To his surprise, his daughter rolled down the window and said. “Diana?! are you alright?”

“Yeah! I’m fine… I’m fine… I’m fine….” she repeated to herself as she quickly walked away, still quite shaken with what had happened.

“You know her?” Isaac asked Allegra.

“Ah yes… that’s Diana… the new student…” she said.

“She’s actually my new classmate…” Olivia added.

“Oh…” now that Isaac had a good look at the girl, he realised that she looked a little older to be in the same grade as his daughters. “I thought she would’ve been amongst the senior students?”

“I know right? I don’t know her full story, though…”

“And why is that?” he asked curiously.

“Well, you told us that being a gossip monger is bad…” Olivia stated, causing their father to laugh.

“Alright… alright…” he said, as he drove the car out of the school. Passing down the street, Isaac saw the girl again as the car came to a stop in front of the stop light. Having another good look at her, he was no dirty old man, but he found the young girl to be beautiful, especially those eyes of hers. Those cornflower blues looked sad and haunting.

“Dad? it’s green light already…” Allegra yawns, aware of the green light, but oblivious to where her father was staring. Isaac focused on the road, pushing away the silly thoughts regarding the girl, Diana.

———-

Since students were allowed to roam around outside the school grounds after extracurricular activities for a short tea break, Olivia and Bronwyn took it as an opportunity to go run around the small town.

As they passed by an alley, a group of boys, younger than them blocked their way. Halting them from getting anywhere further down the street.

“Look what we have here…” the leader of the group said, as he examined both girls, whilst trying to look tough. Olivia and Bronwyn were taller, so he looked pathetic trying to act like he was as tall as them.

“Public schools girls! I never thought they would be this pretty!” one of them exclaimed.

“Do you want to hang out with us?”

The two girls looked at each other, knowing full well where this was heading. With all the courage they could muster, they turned around and walked towards another direction. However, before they could do so, a group of them blocked their way once again.

“Woah woah… girl, what? we’re not good enough for your posh selves?!” the boy said, referring to the school the two girls were from. They were wearing their uniform, making it known that they are from the prestigious all-girls school nearby.

“We don’t want trouble…” Bronwyn said curtly, as she pulled Olivia along to another direction, but then they were dragged back by them.

Bronwyn was then pushed back roughly, causing her to stumble back down the ground.

“Ouch!” Bronwyn groaned in pain.

“Bronwyn!!” Olivia said, as she ran to her aid, but her ponytail was pulled, so as her collar, and was kicked in the stomach afterwards, causing her to stumble back in pain.

The boys began kicking Bronwyn afterwards, however before they could harm her further, a lacrosse stick swung at them from behind, knocking down a number of them.

“Diana?!” Olivia said in relief, seeing who their saviour was.

Some of the boys flinched when they saw Diana, as she was bigger than them. For a while, they felt afraid. But they still charged at her, pushing her, and kicking her stomach and then her back, once she fell down the ground. However, much to their surprise, she stood up again, and this time, charged at their leader and threw a hard punch at the boy’s face. The sight of the boy falling backwards and collapsing on the ground thrilled her, that she grabbed his collar while he was down, and punched him again, before retreating to Bronwyn and Olivia’s side.

The boy’s face was bloodied by the blow and screamed when he realised that his mouth was bleeding. When Diana saw her bloody hands, she almost wanted to cry, but then she realised that she had been crying the whole fight.

The boy’s cronies charged towards their direction once again, and Diana ran to both the girls, and used herself to cover them from the oncoming blows. However, before they can even hurt her, some of the girls from her lacrosse team came running to their direction and swung their sticks at the boys, fending them off.

“Hey!! stop!!” the teachers and some adults came running to their direction, upon hearing the commotion on the empty street. They held the boys and had them detained by the police, while the teachers immediately rushed the injured students back to the school grounds.

**********

Once he parked his car, Isaac came rushing inside the large hallway of the school. When the teacher called him about what happened, he found himself angry and worried at the same time. No one hurts his children, and whoever had hurt Olivia will answer to him.

“Dr. Skovgaard!” the school nurse announced, as Isaac rushed inside the school’s clinic.

Isaac looked around the large room and immediately found Bronwyn and Olivia seated on the clinic’s bed, leaning against the bed frame with bruises in their faces.

“What happened?!” Isaac said worriedly, as he cupped his daughter’s face, and examined some of the bruises.Afterwards, he checked Bronwyn’s arm which was starting to turn into a purple colour. “Who did this?!” he says, demanding an answer, causing both girls to flinch.

Suddenly a sipping sound of a straw was heard from behind. Isaac snapped his head to its direction and found another girl who looked utterly familiar to him. She had more bruises than Olivia and Bronwyn. The girl eyed him nonchalantly before yawning and ignoring his presence.

“Girl?” he said, eyeing the girl suspiciously. It was a high possibility that she had gotten into a fight as she had more bruises than the two girls.

“Oh gosh! Dad! No!” Olivia said quickly, seeing her father’s reaction.

“Uncle Isaac, wait! it’s not her!” Bronwyn added, but it fell on deaf ears, as Isaac walked up towards the direction of girl, and crossed his arms.

The girl looked away, knowing what was coming. It wasn’t the first time she was going to be accused of something she didn’t commit.

“Where are your parents? I want to talk to them…” he said sternly.

“You can try… it’s not like they’ll care…” she nonchalantly, sipping from her drink. There was junk food on her side, he could even smell the ketchup and lard used to fry the stale fries that she was eating. It was so unhealthy that it made him cringe, not only because he’s a doctor, but also because he’s a parent. He almost never let his daughter touch junk food and fast food, except behind his back of course.

“Dr. Skovgaard, Diana’s the one who saved them…” the nurse quickly interjected. “A group of young boys were harassing Olivia and Bronwyn. It was Diana who came to their rescue.”

“Oh…” Isaac’s eyes widened and looked at Diana apologetically. He didn’t mean to accuse her. What made him curious was the fact, that the girl never tried to defend herself when he was about to confront her. It was as if she couldn’t care about anything at all.

She puts down her drink to grab a handful of fries from the paper bag, ignoring his presence.

“I’m sorry… girl…” he said apologetically, and the girl only nodded as a response. He glared at the food she was eating as if wanting to take it away from her.

“Diana, it’s going to be dinner time soon! why did you buy food outside!” the nurse said, quickly changing the topic to something else. Diana was being a little too indifferent to the situation, especially to Dr Skovgaard’s apology. Something that is deemed rude for most people.

“Oh… sorry… I was just hungry I couldn’t wait…” she said weakly.

“Dad?” another voice from behind said. Isaac quickly turned around to find his daughter, Allegra, entering the room, carrying bags of junk food. Her expression suddenly turned horrified upon being caught in the act of buying junk food, when their father told them strictly not to.

“Allegra?” he asked. “Who are those for?” he said, as he narrowed his eyes from Olivia, Bronwyn and then to Allegra.

“It’s for me sir…” the girl, Diana, quickly interjected. “ I couldn’t buy right now, so I asked Allegra to…” with that, Allegra quickly sighed in relief.

“I see…” he said as he turned to face Diana’s direction. He examined the girl once more. There were cracks in the corners of her mouth, some scaly rash on her pale face, dark circle under her eyes and weak brittle nails. She clearly had vitamin deficiencies. “Is that what you eat every day?” he asked, quickly changing the topic.

“Yes…” she responded, still with indifference.

“Why do you never join your classmates in the dining hall? Is the food not to your liking?”

“I…. I just don’t feel like it…” she said reluctantly, still not meeting his gaze. It suddenly made her obviously uncomfortable. Why she never joined the other girls in the dining hall was due to the same reason; It made her feel awkward… It made her feel out of place… especially that she was the oldest of their batch.

Questions would be asked and that she knew that she would be deemed stupid, once the students find out that she repeated a grade. Though the students aren’t fully aware of her situation yet. They soon would find out, and she might be an outcast again. Well… she was already an outcast, it wouldn’t hurt to start staying away from everyone just to lessen the awkwardness.

“What do your parents say about this? I’m sure they object to your choice of meals…” Isaac added, sounding more like a parent to her.

“Frankly… they don’t even care… as long as I eat and I’m not doing anything wrong” she replied, with a hint of annoyance. Sadly, her parents couldn’t even care if she does something wrong. And why was this man suddenly meddling with her meals? when he isn’t even her parent!.

“Well then…” Isaac then looks at his watch and eyes at the girls, quickly changing the topic. “It’s gonna be dinner time soon. Discard the junk food, ” he instructs his daughter.

Allegra immediately obeyed and tried to look for the nearest bin to throw the paper bag of junk food. She felt a tinge of regret discarding it when she hasn’t even taken a bite of the fries.

“Wait…give it to me… I’ll eat them for supper…” Diana quickly interjects, and Allegra immediately hands her the paper bag. At least now, it wouldn’t go to waste.

Isaac eyes both of them disapprovingly, causing Allegra to flinch, while Diana paid no heed to it.

“What?” Allegra asked.

“I thought they were hers in the first place?” Isaac said softly, and Allegra’s eyes widened upon the realisation, that their father had caught the lie. He then smiled at his daughter and then turned to Diana, who was already taking out the drink from the paper bag. It was her second cup and she drunk it nonchalantly, ignoring Isaac’s disapproving stare.

“Get your bags, we’re eating dinner outside…” he says, telling Bronwyn the same thing, and all the three girls immediately obliged.

Diana somewhat felt a little envious of the three girls. She often spent dinner all alone and wondered how it would feel like to have some companions. But she quickly reminded herself that it was better that way. At least she could eat what she wants, without any objections coming from anyone, or sitting with them awkwardly.

She watched, as the girls left, but not before waving at her. Waving in return, she sighed in relief as they left the room. However, she felt a little agitated upon realising that Dr. Skovgaard was still in the room, looking at her, pity was palpable in his eyes.

“Yes?” she said, a little irked that he was looking at her. It was making her feel ‘uncomfortable’. His gaze seemed to have some sort of ‘effect’ on her. She didn’t like being stared at, even if it was just ‘pity. What made her feel more irritated, was the fact that the man seemed unaware of the ‘effect’ he has on her,

“That was nice of you covering up for my daughter…” he gave a disarming smile, causing Diana to almost let the truth slip out.

“Huh? sorry sir, but I do not know what you are talking about…” she said, trying to feign innocence.

His smile curved into a grin, and took the drink she was holding, taking a sip of it.

“Hey… I uuhhhmmm… I was drinking that…” her eyes widened with what he had just done. There was a saying before that if two people share the same straw, it was as if they had shared a kiss. She felt her cheeks grow warmer with the thought. The man before her is handsome, a man she wouldn’t even mind kissing, and he looked rather a little young to be a father of two pre-teenage girls. It felt so strange that she couldn’t exactly pinpoint what it was.

“Hmmm…mango juice… I’m sure you’re more of a coke drinker…” he says as he looks at the cup, and then points at the other empty cup with the label ‘coke’. It was then she realised, he was indirectly telling her that she was lying.

“How did you-” she was about to say something when he quickly interjected.

“Well, my daughter likes to drink mango juice…” he says nonchalantly, throwing the finished cup on to the nearby trash can. Whilst Diana gulped and looked down. Feeling a little guilty of the lie she told.

“Shall we go?” he turned to face her, catching her off-guard.

“G-ggg-go? where?”

“Dinner…. hurry, the girls are waiting…” he motioned for her to get out of the clinic’s bed.

“W-wait… I’m invited to dinner?!” she asked, still surprised at Isaac’s sudden invitation. No one invited her for dinner before, heck, even her own father doesn’t, and nor do they eat dinner together when he is at home. She tried to contain her smile, glad that joining them for dinner, as it meant that she won’t have to sit alone by herself.

She then turned to the nurse, still unsure of what to do. The nurse then gave her an encouraging smile and asked her to follow Dr. Skovgaard. Turning back to his direction, she found him near the door, looking at her expectantly.

It is rare when someone shows her kindness, So when she got up, she was still a little reluctant. She then followed Isaac down the hallway and walked beside him.

=END OF FLASHBACK=

“I… uhhmmm… going ahead…” Diana said, as she took her clutch from her lap, and got up her seat. She gave a cordial smile to Isaac, and squeeze Allegra and Bronwyn’s shoulder.

“Oh! Wait? Are you not going to wait for dad?” Allegra asked, halting her from leaving.

“Naaahh… it’s alright… I just am starting to feel a little sleepy now.” she said, whilst yawning.

“Alright, take care!” Olivia said, as she kissed her Diana’s cheek, before letting her walk off. Afterwards, she headed to her brother’s direction, to inform him that she was heading home. Alric gave her a quick hug, and sent her to the front door, and was then pulled by one of his colleagues to discuss other matters.

She waited outside the building, near the street, in hopes of getting a hackney soon. A strong gust of cold wind blew, and she knew there was an incoming rain, just by the smell of it.

She sighed in frustration, knowing that she might have to go back inside if she doesn’t get a hackney soon before it rains.

Glancing at her side, she almost jumped upon seeing her father, leaning against the wall, smoking his cigarette. He did acknowledge her presence with a faint smile, before taking out another cigarette from the box.

“Da…” she said, and gave a slight nod of acknowledgement.

“You won’t get a hackney around this area… Most are waiting at those clubbing districts…” her father said casually, as he fiddled with his phone while smoking. It was as if they weren’t estranged.

“I see… I have no choice, I have to get home before it rains…” she reasoned, as she looked up the sky, and saw lightning flashing from afar.

“That is really nothing to worry about…” he said, as he pointed to the Black Rolls Royce 'Phantom’ that stopped in front of them. It was unmistakably her father’s car. Her father and grandparents were fond of that car brand, ever since she was still a child.

“You bought a new edition I see…” she said, as she watched a driver alight from the driver’s seat, and looked at her expectedly.

“Yes… they offer discounts for my loyalty…”

Diana chuckled. “You do not have to send me back… you’re not even supposed to leave the place yet.” She pointed out.

“My driver can come back for me later… Besides, the roads are empty, so there isn’t traffic at this hour… It wouldn’t take long for him to send you home. It’s important that you get home safe.” he said, sounding more like a good parent, causing Diana to almost stumble back in shock. Was she hearing it right? Her estranged father was concerned for her?

“Well… she looked at the car reluctantly, before boarding the passenger seat behind.

The driver then closes the door, and boarded the front seat. But before he could even drive off. His boss asked him to open the windows, and gave him instructions.

“Take another route, try to lose the car behind…” Francis’ instructs his driver, whilst Diana’s brows furrowed, not understanding her father’s reasons.

“Wait!! Da!”

Francis turned to the direction of his daughter.

“Take another route? a car behind?!” she asked, wanting clarification.

“You’re being followed…” he stated simply, before eyeing a posh car, not far from where they were parked. Diana followed the direction of her father’s eyes and found out that there was a car indeed.

“J-Jesse?” she guessed, who else would bother to stalk her and ruin her life?

“Highly possible…” he said, having a glimpse of the man earlier.

“B-but… he wasn’t invited tonight! Alric made sure of it!”

“I know… but it never meant that it would stop his pursuit…” Francis sighed in frustration. “I've been opposing your relationship with Jesse since then. I know I was not a good father to you… It's my fault that this is happening now. With how I treated you, I ended up indirectly pushing you to him.” he said apologetically, as regret etched his face, which greatly surprised Diana. Her father never apologised to her, and this was the first time hearing him say it.

Diana was about to say something when Francis quickly told the driver to drive off, and afterwards, glared at the direction behind the car.

“Da!” she called her father, but it fell on deaf ears, as the ‘Phantom’ accelerated onto the empty road.

**********

“Black Maserati...” Niles, the driver said, as the roar of the engine behind was heard. They both turned to its direction and looked into the car’s windows. They are not seen inside, due to the ‘Phantom’s’ tinted windows.

“How long has he been tailing us?” Diana asked as she sat nervously behind. She knew it was her ex, and once he finds out where her new residence is, it will definitely cause big problems.

“Ever since earlier, when you were flagging a hackney. Your father felt alarmed and immediately messaged me when he saw the car ‘s driver...” Niles said, as he cautiously manoeuvred the wheel, observing the car next to them.

It was no wonder that her father was busy fiddling with his phone when he was smoking earlier. It was because he saw the black Maserati and its driver. “The man would have abducted you...” Niles added, stating a scary fact. Jesse was the type of person who gets everything he wants and when he doesn’t, he does something drastic, like a typical spoiled brat would.

“Do you think we can try to outrun him?”

“Yes... it’s possible, given that the roads are clear. But it is dangerous. We may not exactly outrun him, but we can try to lose him.” Niles said, as his grip tightened on the wheel, and waited for the stoplight to turn ‘green’. “Fasten your seatbelt, Lady Rutherford...” he said, addressing her formally, and then changed gears. The ‘Phantom’s’ engine’s roared, as it sped off down the empty road.

‘Lady Rutherford’ was something she hasn’t heard people call her in a while, that it felt strange for her. Her father’s side of the family, are Scottish Lords from the clan with the same surname she bore. Automatically earning her the title ‘Lady’. They even have their own tartan pattern, coat of arms and motto. Not many people knew of it of course, including her ex-beau (heck, he hasn’t even met her father, since her father refused to face him.). The Rutherfords were very low key people and never liked the limelight that much, compared to other noble families. Which is probably why her parent’s marriage didn’t work, as Lyssandra, her mother, was too ‘flamboyant’.

“Niles!! he’s catching up!” Diana said, terrified, upon seeing the car behind gaining speed.

The car then quickly shifted to another direction, causing a loud screech of the tires. The car behind blasted it’s horn angrily as if demanding the’ Phantom’ to stop.

“That’s definitely Jesse...” Diana spoke, as she gripped her seat, her heart pounded with how fast the car was going, and the danger she was in. She wondered how her supposedly beautiful evening, was suddenly ruined by Jesse all over again. It was as if he was bent on destroying her life.

Suddenly the Maserati behind slammed on the Rolls Royce’ bumper, causing the car to be pushed violently off the road and to momentarily halt. It’s passengers, almost flew to the windshield, if not for their seat belts.

“Are you alright? Lady Rutherford?” Niles asked worriedly, as he turned to face her.

“I’m fine... please, please continue driving... and do not get off the car...” Diana pleaded to her driver.

“But-” before Niles could continue, a sudden thud from the car’s window was heard.

“Open the damn door!!” Jesse demanded from the outside of the car.

“Shit... my father was right...” Diana and Niles flinched in unison, upon seeing the fuming expression the Jesse had. It was as if he was going to kill Diana. “Niles, quickly, start the car!” she said, as Niles immediately obliged.

There was no one in the empty road, so if something were to happen to both of them, no one would know, as there are no witness.

“It wouldn’t....” Niles said shakily, as the punching in the car’s window, grew violently. The engine kept dying every time he tried to switch the ignition. Which was probably due to the impact earlier.

Diana couldn’t exactly understand why Jesse was behaving violently towards her again. He could easily replace her, like what he told her before. They haven’t seen each other for weeks, since the last incident. Yet, here he was, trying to actually hurt her or perhaps even ‘abduct’ her.

She then dug into her clutch and pulled out her phone in panic, which caused it to slip away from her hands, and end up dark carpeted floor, underneath one of the seats.

“Shit...” she cursed, as sweat beaded her forehead.

“You whore! I was just not around for a moment, and now you have a new man?!” Jesse screamed.

She felt goosebumps rise on her skin. Did Jesse find out about her infatuation for Dr. Skovgaard? How was that even possible?! She hasn’t even told anyone, except the wall. Or wait? was he assuming? Did he finally find out where she currently lives? was he basing his accusations there?

Diana turned pale with the thought, if he has found out her new residence, then it wouldn’t only be her who’d get into trouble. But everyone involved with her.

“So Lord Francis is your new sugar daddy now?!! you fucking gold digger!! Didn’t I give you enough?!!!!” he said as he punched the car’s window, again and again, causing a slight crack on the glass.

“Wait... what!” her eyes widened in disbelief. Jesse was accusing her of being her father’s ‘mistress’. It churned her stomach, it made her feel sick. Did Jesse ever stop and think that Lord Francis Rutherford and she, shared the same surname? or he just immediately jumped to conclusions?

“That man, is sick!!” Niles declared, hearing everything that Jesse said. He was still trying to start the car.

It all became clear to her, Jesse didn’t want her because he ‘loved’ her. No... it was because he wants to own and control her. Just like what he had done to other women. It was because of his pride.

“Ah!!” Niles declared, as the sound of the engine starting, immediately lifted both their spirits up.

“Quick!!” she pleaded, and Niles immediately obliged. “Hold on and sit back my lady!”

He then stepped on the gas pedal, and the car roared as it sped into the dark and empty road.

A/N: I would be doing some soft editing because I might have made some grammatical errors.

Oh yes, an additional note!

- Dr. Skovgaard was a young teenage father... (It’s nothing bad, don’t worry... I’ll delve into that later in future chapters). Which is why Diana wondered, why he looked young. He was his early thirties when the flashback happened.

- Diana repeated a few years in her secondary school, which makes her older than Allegra, Olivia and Bronwyn.

#Mads Mikkelsen Fan Fic #Mads Mikkelsen Fanfic #Mads Mikkelsen Fan Fiction #Mads Mikkelsen Fanfiction #Mads Mikkelsen AU #AU #Alternate Universe #Mads Mikkelsen Imagines #A True Gentleman #Anti Fifty Shades of Grey #Anti 50 Shades of Grey #Gentleman #MissIronLadyIW

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isaacathom · 7 years ago

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im figuring for most of the game Rhia ONLY refers to Jun as ‘my uncle’ - she doesnt refer to him by name. you can figure out that she means Jun through his own dialogue and through interactions with Lyndelle, who Rhia says is her cousin. and Lyndelle speaks quite openly about her father and how much she aspires to be just like him, and how much he inspires Rhia, too. so when you eventually meet Jun in relation to Team bullshit, and he’s friendly and kind, you go ‘ooohhhhh thats her uncle, right’.

the main reason she does it is because shes paranoid about accidentally incriminating him. when shes berating Elliot for leaving her behind, and describing in detail what occured after she left, she’s fully aware that if she says his name, and then FAILS to stop Elliot and the player (and Zeke, iirc) from leaving, they might report his connections. its a VERY weak defence, admittedly, given how easy it is to work out who she’s referring to. but theres also the fact that shes NOT related to him. and Elliot, knowing this fact (knowing that she’s Seren, and that her entire family live in Johto and didn’t take her ‘home’), would be unable to connect that dot. Being that he is obsessed with Seren, rather than Rhia. the player knows she means Jun, but the player has also actually met Jun - which Rhia doesn’t know. But they’ve met, and they know that Jun isn’t enthusiastic about Team shit, and only works with them because he is blackmailed and wants to protect his family.

so. yknow. if she just says ‘her uncle’, theres room for interpretation. its vague enough. plus, if you actually go to HER records, the records of Rhia Stanton, you will not find Jun Zhang anywhere. he’s her step uncle. instead you will find Patrick’s family, and the family of her ‘mother’. who i think, for shits and gigs, dont have any brothers. that’d be funny. someone investigating Rhia’s ‘uncle’ claims would actually have to look a long way into her records to find a man who could match that description. ofc in reality they’d just ask Jun because that’s her home address now but like, yknow. they share no blood, both in general and as far as her legal records are concerned. so. yknow. someone trying to be covert and investigate Rhia would have to put a lot of extra effort to find this info.

idk i think itd be fun if Rhia’s going on her long tirade explaining the time between her being assaulted and Jun finding her and speaking in these vague terms. not in any overt hilarious way, i just think itd be cool for her to do. then, of course, once shits all cleared, he’s just Jun. well, ok, she alternates, because she does feel a genuine familial attachment to Jun and Bronwyn and Lyndelle, and terms like ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’ and ‘cousin’ are vague enough that it can describe how she feels while not NECESSARILY necessitating blood ties. its a cute thing. initially it was part of her cover story, calling them auntie and uncle (and then mostly just calling Lyndelle by name), but at one point Rhia would’ve just slipped and called Jun ‘uncle’ in private and honestly it probably made him cry. and shes fretting and apologising and saying ‘fuck fuck i meant Jun sorry’ and hes all ‘no no its fine.... you can call me uncle if you want.’ and shes like ‘wait, really?????’ ‘absolutely, Rhia. if you want to!’ and she cries too. Bronwyn comes downstairs to find them hugging and crying and shes just ‘did i walk in on something?? do you want me to give you a minute’ and they both laugh reallyyyy awkwardly and theres a silence, before Rhia goes ‘heyyyyyy uuhhhhhh i had a question..... am i allowed to call you auntie????’ and bronwyns very confused about what exactly brought this on, looks at Jun, looks back at Rhia, back at Jun, and it clicks and she goes ‘oooooohhhhhhhhhhh. oooohhhh. you mean actually?’ and rhia nods and bronwyn goes ‘well, you do already, dont you? why not! :)’ and its just a big fun time.

then lyndelle also walks in and is INCREDIBLY confused. what the fuck is happening. why is everyoe laughing and crying and hugging and shit. did something happen???????? it is an incredily weird time.

uhhhhh point is she means it sincerely but not in a blood tie way and its also juuuuuuussssttt vague enough that she doesnt give anything away when shes trying to keep shit secret. of course, if pressed in a normal situation, she’d tell you exactly who ‘uncle’ is, the talented Dr Jun Zhang, but in any remotely crime-y shit, you wont get a peep.

so i guess she just always calls him uncle? maybe after the whole team/org blows over, she switches to ‘Uncle Jun’, rather than just uncle? that’d be kinda cute.

im not sure exactly when shed start sincerely calling then family, though. she has like 8 years to figure that out. it certainly wasnt in the first year or so - she was still mixed in that time. at some point, certainly.

the same sort of terms follow for Jun and Bronwyn too. Bronwyn probably took a little longer - mostly because she had slightly less history with Rhia than Jun did - but both of them feel very close to her and refer to her as their niece on a few occasions. Jun especially. mostly because meeting Jun is actually required for story progression, so IF he mentioned his family at all, itd be in vague terms. because just like Rhia, he really doesnt want to tie them into his business. he hates this business, why would he want them connected? so its just ‘my niece’ not ‘my niece, rhia, that cop whose been sorta bothering you the whole game’. YOU know, obviously, the player knows thats probably whats happening. which is probably also the point where you should be going ‘hang on......... her uncles in the evil team??? does she know???’ and it should cause people to think twice. ideally between meeting Jun in a team context and the tower sequence the player should see her again - presumably to insert the whole Seren thing which ive technically retconned out of existence but still needs to occur i guesssss - and she should seem especially suss in that instance. in fact, yea, having that be the point where she asks you to ask elliot about Seren makes sense, and should look INCREDIBLY shifty. like, whyyy cant she just ask him herself? why do you have to do it? what does that mean? theres probably been minor hints about it throughout the game, and there IS a cemetery why you can find graves for both her parents AND a grave for Seren with only her DOB and an end year. and Zeke probably actually knows about it, even if he didnt know Seren personally (given the age difference - he’s older than the player but younger than Rhia, being that he is like.... 17??? which is 6 years younger than her and anywhere from 2-5 older than you. idk. there would be minor info sprinkled about Seren throughout the game, to the point where the player COULD fill in the blanks about what the fuck is happening themselves. to a point, anyway. like, hmm.... so Seren was Elliot’s charge, and vanished, and now this girl who is roughly how old she’d be now is asking me to ask Elliot about her...... hmmmm. and the player might click it. the details, about how he abandoned her, come out only from Rhia herself in her tirade against Elliot. what Elliot tells you is slightly different. ooh, thats a bit, actually.

how Rhia recounts the events and how Elliot does is vastly different. mostly because they drastically diverge at a point, but also in terms of what they recount in that similar lead up. Rhia talks about how shifty the plan was, how he made her wait while he spoke to the gym leaders before coming to get her, how they were on their own despite the other groups being fairly large and proportionally uneven, how she ended up leading the way down the corridor (of her own arrogance, but her point is that He didnt stop her). Elliot talks about her boundless enthusiasm to take part, her insistence, his concern that he’d end up disappointing her if the gym leaders found out and subsequently stopped her. and the specific ‘incident’ bit, the description is different too. Elliot doesn’t really go into specifics. its just ‘there were..... complications. i had no choice but to flee’. Rhia instead describes in details how they were grabbed from behind when the corridor opened up abruptly, how the grunts jeered them and held hands over their mouths, how she kicked one of the grunts in the arm so they let Elliot go, how Elliot hesitated for JUST a moment before bolting, silently, down the corridor. that silence is a big part of it, too. Elliot will say to you that he tried to find help, which is true (to a point), but Rhia’s statement makes that seem strange. if he ran silently, how much did he want help? whether he DID actually leave without crying out at all is..... unclear. neither account of events is wholly accurate. the commonalities are true, but the minor parts are based on interpretation. in fact, the ONLY people perhaps equipped to offer an objective view on what happened in the confrontation are the Grunts, who could talk about how Seren crossed the threshold first with a pokeball in hand, and how Elliot passed closely behind without, and how Barny got kicked in the hand and probably later in the face by the flailing Seren, how Smokes followed Elliot down the hall and saw him completely leave the premises, how Tiny Fae later told Jun about Seren. that sorta shit. those are random names i dont even know what the fuck those mean.

i think thatd be a very neat difference. just to emphasise how they both feel about it. how Rhia would highlight the choices available to Elliot (and technically herself, but trust me, that isnt her idea) and how Elliot would highlight how inevitable he felt his choices were, or how he didnt have them.if it isnt obvious i probably agree with Rhia more, though shes a lot less blameless than she makes it out and there is probably more actual manipulation of information in her recounting over Elliots. like yea, both are manipulated to elicit a specific response (sympathy for both, and anger at Elliot in Rhia’s case). but since Rhia is making a point when she’s telling her version, she’s likely slightly twisted parts of it. the emotional impact of the event isnt changed, but some of the physical elements are likely emphasised to make Elliot feel reaaallllllll fucking guilty. like ‘you thought i was dead, but i lived! but in agonising pain for a while and there have been permanent physical and mental repercussions for your actions, asshole!’ what fun! :)

#story blogging #codename seren #long post #lol i got.... very carried away...... i love rhia and elliots whole conflict its my fucking shit

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