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tooturtly · 8 days ago

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Still on my locked tomb and feudalism bullshit, so here’s a discussion of John, and how I think he systematically uses the decentralized nature of the Nine Houses to avoid the realities of being God.

Essentially, what it says on the tin, but first, context. (Can you tell I’m somehow more unhinged now?). Feudalism is a political structure with a fair amount of decentralization of power. It usually came about in the past after a larger government/political system collapsed, such as Rome. Essentially, a King/Emperor cannot feasibly run large amounts of territory, with the citizens of those territories being from diverse backgrounds and customs, without a lot of loyal subordinates helping out. Enter the nobility.

The nobility do the work of running the lands so that the King/Emperor doesn’t have to maintain a large bureaucracy to, let’s say, collect taxes from each individual person, hold a census, or run a court of law. This does not mean the ruler gets to fuck off, they do have responsibilities to the realm, their court, their knights, and the nobles who support them. Some people have to like you to remain in power, otherwise you get assassinated.

So what does all this have to do with John? Well, first, I think it’s safe to say from what we’ve seen that the Nine Houses are very similar to a feudalist system. You have a collection of independent, semiautonomous populations that can generally keep themselves together. They have slightly different takes on religion, loyalty to the empire, and necromancy, but they are all unified under it.

Second, I think we can also say that John has a very specific perception of himself that does not always align with the reality. He wears worn, casual clothes that are not the type of thing anyone else wears, but includes a crown of infant bones. He has a casual, relaxed attitude, but also can pull out a speech about avenging death and fighting for the empire seemingly off the top of his head. He doesn’t want Harrow to treat him like God, yet also constantly quotes works from a world nobody but he can remember. His narration of his actions in Nona paint him as seeing what he did as something anyone would do, as not that bad, as the act of a desperate, passionate man. Yet he also rebuilt the world to make himself God and Emperor above everyone else, the head of a ten thousand year long grudge campaign.

The contradiction is inherent in his title, man who became god, and god who is man. Harrow especially points out moments where he seems mortal, human, calling attention to how he otherwise appears completely separate and divine.

John is a complicated character. People smarter than me have written more with better evidence laid out. What I’m trying to get at though is that, to me, John reads as a man who cannot view himself as having vast amounts of power over others on the regular. To a certain extent he has to view himself as ‘just a little guy’ so he doesn’t have to reconcile with the actions that have caused massive amounts of harm. He wants the Lyctors to be his friends and associates, rather than their boss.

The structure of the Nine Houses helps with that. He doesn’t have to regularly speak to the average citizen, or deal with the daily problems of the people and their Houses, or hell, even the people he’s conquered. Mercymorn says something in Harrow about how the Emperor’s seat is the Mithraeum, the place light years away from the people he is supposed to allegedly rule. The place only realistically accessible by traveling through the River, a feat only possibly by Lyctors (for the most part). And we learn that he’s only been away from that for 80 years, and he assumedly spent most of his previous ten thousand years there.

Because he is at the top of the power structure, he can lose himself in the bigger picture and forget about the reality, which is the fact that he is running a colonial Empire that requires the biological death of planets and people to survive.

#can you tell this is half baked #I hope not #this has pushed around my brain so long it is now mush #and I must share it before it is gone #the locked tomb #gideon the ninth #nona the ninth spoilers #harrow the ninth #john gaius #harrow the ninth spoilers #she hates the body john made her so much guys #mercymorn the first #tlt meta #tlt brainrot

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p0lyn3sian · 2 months ago

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Hi! Do you do slashers x teen readers? (Platonic ofc) If so, I was wondering if I can make a request where reader makes them a cappuccino out of nowhere? Like she not even a barista or anything she just learned how to make coffees out of boredom? I'm currently learning how to make different coffees out of boredom my coffee arts aren't that good yet but I'm getting there! I just wanna see how they would react to reader giving them a coffee art thank you! ❤️

OKAY THIS REQUEST IS GOING TO SO GOODDD! And yes ofc I do teen readers (platonic), I think I forgot to put that on my requests! I only read through this once, so there might be mistakes on this drabble, sorry!

Slashers: Hannibal & Will, Jason, Chucky & Tiffany, Norman, Billy & Stu, Patrick, Sinclair Brothers, Carrie, Thomas & Bubba, RZ Michael, Brahms & Billy Lenz, The Lost Boys

Teen Reader making cappuccino/coffees for Slashers!

Hannibal & Will:

First of all, where and how did you make this coffee?? Second, it looks amazing! Will couldn't believe how amazing your coffee art is! He wondered when the heck did you even have time for making this delicious coffee for him too! Will took a sip of the cappuccino, and it tasted wonderful! His taste buds could taste how bitter and sweet it was!

You then made a cup for Hannibal, and Hannibal was surprised how your art was almost like a barista! Of course he wanted to try it, and how could he not?? One sip of it was already enough to have Hannibal make you more of that cappuccino!

You then started making different kinds of coffees and arts, and you gave all of them for Hannibal and Will to try and taste them. Most were really good, and some needed a little bit of work. But overall it was amazing for Hannibal and Will to try out all of the coffees that you made!

Jason:

Now Jason has never drank coffee, so seeing you hold a cup of cappuccino in your hands, and you told him you made it for him to see and taste! He grabbed the cup from you carefully and looked at your art. Your coffee was really amazing to Jason, because he has never seen coffee like that before! He lifted his mask to taste the coffee, and he loved how sweet it was! He dranked the whole thing, and told you in ASL that it was amazing! Jason started getting more and more coffee from you, and he was so proud of how your coffee art was getting better and better! He liked the coffee that was sweet and bitter, but the strong coffees weren't Jason's thing. But of course he'll try them, because you made them for him to try!

If you are out of ingredients for coffee, Jason would try and go to stores nearby crystal lake and take them just for you to make more! If you start making those art that takes a lot of hours of practice, Jason will be sitting in that chair and stare at it for hours and just admire! He doesn't want to ruin a piece of beautiful art work that you have spent so much of your time on! It'll just make him feel guilty.. Jason would definitely try and make his own coffee and art, but it will end up being messy at the end, just lots of spills and dust everywhere! Jason would give you tons of hugs for doing such a great job on making your amazing coffees!

Chucky & Tiffany:

Tiffany and Chucky were busy cooking breakfast, and they both wondered what you were doing with the coffee machine and other stuff. Tiffany and Chucky both love coffee, but only if it's their liking. For example, Tiffany likes her coffee in the middle of sweet and strong, and Chucky likes his strong and a little bit of sweet. Tiffany could tell you were making cappuccino, because she loves ordering that coffee at Starbucks, and Chucky couldn't tell what it was.

Chucky and Tiffany were both done cooking breakfast, and just in time you were done making their cappuccino! You placed both cups carefully in front of Chucky and Tiffany. And they were amazed! Tiffany complimented how amazing your art is, even if it's a little messed up but that's okay! Chucky was amazed that you can actually make coffee art really good!

You then started making more and more coffees and arts for them to see and try! You made strong coffees with a little bit of sweet for Chucky, and he loved it! And some in between sweet and bitter with strong for Tiffany's coffee! Chucky and Tiffany would buy more stuff for your coffee art and/or more coffee beans for your making! These two love you very much and dearly, that you'll make their own favorite coffees during your free time!

Norman:

Norman was in his bed sleeping soundly, while you were downstairs in the kitchen making a cup of cappuccino for Norman! You wanted to make cappuccino, because why not! You put stuff in places and mix whatever ingredients go in which, and pour the cappuccino into two cups. You then pour the milk slowly into an art that you know is easy to do in the coffee. And just in time Norman came downstairs smelling a cup of coffee! He realized it was you making coffee! Norman always heard that you wanted to try and make coffee with art, so he was ready to see how well you did!

Norman was so proud of how well your art is! He then tasted the cappuccino and it was the perfect amount of sweet and bitter! He'll compliment you on how well you made that cappuccino and that he will try any other coffees that you'll try and make! You started making more and more till there were no coffee beans and ingredients for the coffee! Norman had to buy those big bags of coffee beans and more stuff for your coffee stuff too! Norman is very proud of you and how well your coffee and art is becoming!

Billy & Stu:

When and how did you find all the stuff to make a cappuccino for these two?? All these two remembered was putting stuff in random cabinets, like spices that were put with canned foods. Or pots and pans in cupboards with dishes for food, on top of the cupboards, or literally anywhere they can place those pots and pans hidden.

These two drank the cappuccino without looking at your art.. They saw how your smile was almost turning to a frown, so of course they asked you. You've answered that they didn't look at the coffee art you made before they chugged it all down. Now these two really messed up for not looking at your art. Billy and Stu didn't mean it at all, they just wanted to taste the cappuccino! And you had to ask if it was good, and they both answered with a 'Yes'!

Since you've found the stuff for the cappuccino, behind you there were a lot of messes.. some spills here and there, dishes and spices for food or for deserts on counters. Billy and Stu went and put dishes, spices, and canned foods in places that are meant to be. And it was easier for you to take out whatever you needed for your coffee making! You will be making more and more for these two to try, and times like these is when Stu drinks the whole made coffee and realizes that he didn't look at your art. So, Billy would always wait and see if Stu was going to drink the coffee before looking at your coffee art. But either way, these two are so proud of your art and they love how you make coffee!

Patrick:

This man loves coffee, and I mean LOVES coffee. When you two are out shopping he'll always stop at his favorite coffee shop to get his regular coffee! When there are days where both of you don't want to go anywhere, you'll be in the kitchen trying to make a cappuccino! The first time you made it for him, he was surprised that there was enough milk and coffee, and the art is also great but just a little messy here and there. Once he took a sip of your cappuccino, he smacked his lips and tasted how wonderful it is! He could taste the sweetness and bitterness in this lovely cappuccino! He definitely wants you to make any coffee that you'll want to make and give it to him!

Since he's rich and all, he'll be stocking and stocking stuff for coffee making for you to make! Patrick will understand if you don't have enough energy to make coffee, then he'll try making coffee for himself or literally go to the coffee shop and order him some. Either way he'll always be happy to try some of your coffee! Your coffee art isn't perfect which he thinks is fine, it's just baby steps for you to become a barista! But this man is so judgemental that he'll give a nasty side eye to an employee at a coffee shop that made his coffee, like he'll be saying to the tired employee to make another perfect coffee 🙄. So you'll just drag him out before it gets into a very nasty fight with a stressed tired employee.

Sinclair Brothers:

You woke up really early, and you've been having the urge to make cappuccinos for the brothers! You went downstairs quietly and tried to get the stuff to make the cappuccino. There was some stuff placed in different places, whether it was in the top cupboard or in the pantry. You grabbed pots for different stuff for the cappuccino, since these guys don't have a coffee maker. Jonesy heard things being placed in the kitchen, and she went downstairs from Lester's room to see who it was. And she just realized it was only you. Jonesy sat in her dog bed and watched as you did your coffee.

Mixing ingredients into one pot for the coffee, and getting the milk from the fridge for the art! Vincent is a light sleeper so he heard a lot of things upstairs in the basement. Opening the door, Vincent checked into the living to see if anyone was there watching TV, but no one was there so he walked to the kitchen. And it was only you making what? Vincent's footsteps were so light that he ended up scaring you as he got real close at what you were doing. You told him you were making cappuccino for him and the other two.

Bo and Lester came downstairs smelling a sweet smell? Or whatever it was, it didn't matter it's probably Vincent making breakfast. Coming downstairs Bo and Lester saw 3 cups on the counter and they could kinda see steam coming off of it. Lester was the first one to grab the coffee of some sort, and he loved whoever did this lovely art they did on the coffee. So he took a sip of the made coffee, and immediately loved how bittersweet it was! Lester told Bo and Vincent to try the coffee and these two took a sip after looking at the lovely art as well!

Vincent and Bo both have different tastes for coffee, Vincent loved how sweet it tastes and Bo kinda liked it, but either way it was good overall for him. Bo and Lester thought Vincent made this coffee, but he pointed at you that you made the coffee for them! Bo wondered how you even made this?? Lester loved how great your coffee was and that he wanted to try more if you wanted to make more, and Vincent loved it too! You made different types of delicious coffees for all three of them, but on different days whether they're feeling coffee or not! Lester's taste in coffee is sweet and bitter, and the twins taste in coffee is in the middle of sweet and bitter, but they'll probably feel like strong coffee if they are.

Carrie:

Carrie has never drank coffee before, because of her mother being really strict on stuff.. but seeing you holding a cup with whatever coffee you made, and you made it just for her just makes her feel so happy! She grabbed the coffee cup from your hands carefully, and she blew lightly on the coffee. Carrie sipped a little and she loved how tasty and sweet it was! And she also examined your coffee art and loved all the swirls it has too! She drank the whole cup and her taste buds just can't get enough of it!

The past few days, you have been making different kinds of coffee for Carrie! She's been so excited to try more of your coffee! And that she's so proud of your art too! Sweet coffees are now Carrie's favorite drinks, but strong coffees aren't really for Carrie, so you've wanted to make only sweet coffees for Carrie! For example, vanilla latte, caramel latte, or literally any sweet coffees that Carrie would definitely try! Thanks to your delicious sweet coffees, Carrie now has a sweet tooth for these drinks!

Thomas & Bubba:

Now these two have never tasted coffee before! Luda has made coffee before, but it was mostly for people that are really tired. For Thomas and Bubba they still have a lot of energy to go throughout the day with their chores, so it wasn't really for them. But seeing the cappuccino that you've made for them looks amazing! It took some minutes for Thomas and Bubba to drink their cappuccino, but it was so worth it for them! Thomas loved how sweet it was, as well as Bubba!

Bubba wanted to try more of those sweet coffees, but Thomas doesn't have a really sweet tooth but he'll definitely try whatever coffee you want to make! You've also made coffee and other flavors of coffee that might be for Thomas' taste too! You've made sweet coffees for Bubba to try and his favorite was, vanilla latte, caramel latte, or any latte! For Thomas, his is in between sweet and strong. His favorites so far are caffe mocha, mocha frappuncino, or literally any kinds of mocha.

If you wanted more ingredients for your coffee making, there's Luda's gas station that's a little farther from the house. But if you want it from the grocery store, Luda will definitely force Hoyt to go get the stuff that you need and for the family home all the way to town! You'll also make some coffee for Mama Luda if she wants to try some of course! Some coffee that she loved was the cappuccino, caramel frappe, and some other sweet coffees! If some days no one wants coffee, then you'll most likely take a break from all the mixing and pouring! But if someone in the house wants some, you'll definitely make some for them!

RZ Michael:

Michael is also another person that has never tasted coffee too! Michael has never seen art like that in coffee before. He only sees people pour either milk or whatever cream they like in their coffee and just pour it. But seeing your coffee art looks amazing to him! He examined your coffee for a few minutes and then sipped a little of the cappuccino. Since Michael has had a sweet tooth when he was younger, surprisingly the coffee you made was also sweet too! So, he ended up chugging the whole cappuccino and you knew that you've done a good job on making that cappuccino!

You've then started making more coffees but different ones for Michael to try! Like, mocha, pumpkin spice, hazelnut etc! He tried them all and loved how sweet it was, but if you don't have ingredients to make different coffees for Michael. This dude will literally break into a coffee shop and steal whatever you need, even the machines too. But thanks to Michael you can make whatever coffee and art for your stuff! Michael would try some different coffees that you'll make whether it's sweet or strong, just let him try it!

Brahms & Billy Lenz:

Brahms may or may not have tried coffee before when he was young, and Billy on the other hand has drank coffee before. The coffee Billy drank made him way too energetic when he was young, but Brahms probably drank one but it ended up terrible since it didn't taste good in his opinion. So, seeing the coffee in front of them looks really good! Brahms loves the art and Billy loves the smell from the cappuccino! Billy was the first one to drink the whole cup in one sitting, and to his surprise it tasted really good! He just loves how sweet the coffee you made, but the coffee he drank was really bitter and somehow made him energetic.

It was now Brahms' turn to try out your made cappuccino! Brahms took a sip of the cappuccino, and surprisingly he loved how good it was! Your coffee tasted way better than the coffee he drank when he was younger. You've told them that you wanted to try different types of coffees and let them try and see if it tastes good! Of course, these two would try any coffee you'll make and give feedback on your made coffees! If you're out of stuff for coffee, you'll tell Greta (babysitter) that you need more stuff for your own coffees! So, she'll put that on the list for Malcolm (Grocery Boy) to come by again.

Brahms likes sweet and a little bit of strong coffees, like mocha! For Billy it would literally be any sweet coffee, since he loves sweets. If it's too sweet for Brahms, it'll be awful for him. But if it's too strong for Billy it'll also be awful for him too. So you knew which coffees they liked and which they hated. You also made some coffees for Greta too! She loved some that were sweet and some that were strong, and she also loves your art in your coffees! Overall, these three love the coffee you made, either sweet or strong and your art too! Brahms thinks you're going to be an amazing barista when you grow older! And Billy thinks of that too!

The Lost Boys:

Maybe some of these boys tasted coffee before, or not but you know, you don't know what vampires do all night. What you do know is that they all love eating Chinese food or killing people for food too. And especially motorcycles. Since it's night time, you asked Michael if you could use their kitchen for something and Michael let you. But some things that you had to avoid were not to make a lot of noises and also messes in the kitchen, but overall it's all good for you to use it! You start as quickly as you can so that everyone can go to sleep peacefully with no noises going on downstairs. You grabbed the pots that you needed and grabbed out the stuff for the cappuccino out of the cabinets, and you got to work as quickly as you can.

You poured in the ingredients after the water was boiled, and you stirred the stuff together and waited patiently for it to boil a little again. A little after the boys knew you were at Michael's house, because you wanted to make something for them but it was sure taking so long. So, they flew since they were too lazy to start up their motorcycles. Once they arrived, a sweet smell hit all of them. Wondering what the sweet smell was they knocked on the door to be let in, and you heard the door so you went to open it. And it was just the boys, but they went to the kitchen immediately smelling that sweet smell. You had to try and stop them before drinking the steaming cappuccino, because you hadn't even poured the milk in to make it smoother! Luckily, they stopped and sat down since you were going to bring it to them. Since the milk was already out, you poured into a cup to help you with the art. You poured into an art that you wanted and you also did different ones into the others.

You placed all 4 cups in front of the vampires and let them try it out! David looked at your art and smelled the cappuccino, and it smelled sweet! He sipped the cappuccino just in case it wasn't boiling hot, but it wasn't so he drank a little more of it. David loved how tasty and sweet it was, as well as the other three! Dwayne also loved how beautiful your art is in the coffee. Paul and Marko just love how the coffee was sweet too! You told them that you wanted to become a barista, and the boys would try and do anything to help you make your dream come true! Whether you want them to try some of your coffees or check if your art is really good or needs some little fixing. Overall, you've done a great job making the cappuccino for these vampires!

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