#iago and marcus

[accultant]

thinking about iago as a companion ever since I saw puck's recruitment

You can find Iago at the last light inn after the Marcus fight, regardless of if Isobel is taken or not (though, they will congratulate the heroes and buy them a round of drinks if Last Light is saved). They will pose as another refugee and there is a passive perception check to see if you can recall seeing them before. On a fail, you get a headache from studying their face too hard.

You can also find Iago in Moonrise Towers before the Marcus fight where they are throwing a shriveled tadpole for Steelclaw to play fetch with. Trying to initiate dialogue with them here will generate a random excuse as to why they are "busy," leave the conversation, and they'll be unapproachable after that point. They will still meet you again after the Marcus fight, but pretend not to recall ever meeting you before and double down on the refugee claim.

You'll be able to actually recruit them in the first combat you get into after this encounter, in which they will aid you, having followed your party. They'll ask to join in order to help stop the absolute and to find someone they've lost.

If you do not recruit Iago here or if you never initiate the fight with Marcus, you will find their body discarded behind the altar when you confront Orin at the Bhaal Temple. From them, you can loot a tooth earring and a letter to their brother that is too bloodied to read.

[return-to-twisted-wonderland]

Pre-Blessed Boys: If The Ramshackle Boys Were Blessed Before Coming To Night Raven's Entry Ceremony [Heir of the Sea Witch - Marcus Trein]

[Entry Ceremony]

[The Entry Ceremony was halted by the Arrival of the Great Seven's Familiars.]

Flotsam: Oh! Look at all the guppies, Brother.

Jetsam: Truly. So, how about we give them a show?

Iago: Just get on with it!

Queen Grimhilde's Hunter (Adjusting his hat): Now. Now. I'm sure our masters want to be out of those coffins.

Diavolo (Maleficent's Crow): Truly. Eels...

[Flotsam & Jetsam float over to a coffin and their smirks widen.]

Flotsam: Master! Master! Come out to play!

Jetsam: Please, do not slumber the day away!

[Just then, the coffin lid blasted off and landed near Azul. Marcus walked to the edge of the coffin in a black suit that mimics the Sea Witch's Dress with the necklace around his neck.]

Marcus (Rubbing the back of his neck): Must you both be so loud?

Flotsam: Forgive us, Little Fry.

Jetsam: Surely you will forgive us lowly familiars?

[Marcus stepped off his coffin and floated down to the ground Jetsam & Flotsam at his sides.]

Flotsam: Bow down, Little Guppies... This year shall never be the same...

Jetsam: For the Son of the Sea Witch has entered this game.

You know 100% everyone is staring at them and freaking out.

[lab-trash]

Adam: Or should I call you Iago, you TRAITOR!

Marcus: What, you've read Othello?

Adam: What? I'm calling you the bird from Alladin.

[dapperbasil]

Lilian my beloved - 💚 💘 💧 ❇️ 🪤

💚 GREEN HEART - what things make your oc feel comforted? hugs, kisses, food?

"Starting off rather intrusive, are we? Well, I suppose this one is tame enough. There is not much that comforts me, given my condition seems to be currently inescapable. The days that I am able to spend with Marcus resting in his arms bring me as much comfort as I am able to attain in this state. He soothes away my horrid nightmares, and I am ever grateful to have someone like him."

💘 HEART W/ ARROW - what traits do they look for in a relationship? do they believe in love at first sight?

"This is a difficult question to answer. Marcus and I were betrothed as children, and fell in love with one another over the years. We have both taken additional partners over the years, though those never lasted too long. For me, I suppose any partner would have to be comfortable with my... quirks. If I am to be honest, I believe Zenovia might have more interest in Iago than she does in me, which in all honesty is a bit amusing."

💧 DROPLET - random angst headcanon

"Despite my reluctance to do so now, I have had childer in the past. It... never ended well for any of them. They would always have the same end, a place on my shelf. Dominique is quite the prospective childer, but I will refrain from embracing her until my... sire has been dealt with. I cannot have her corrupted by him."

❇️ SPARKLE - what is their most prized possession? what do they value?

"My wedding dress. The symbol of the bond that Marcus and I share, as well as a reminder of our relative freedom from the shackle that my sire placed upon me. Otherwise it would be my dolls. Each one is the product of hard work and have memories tied to them. Many of them contain the ashes of those closest to me, and though they are long gone, through my dolls I keep their memories close at all times."

🪤 MOUSE TRAP - what will always lure them into certain danger? a loved one in danger? a promise of something they are always searching for?

"What a peculiar question to ask me, it almost makes me wonder if you are plotting something. Though I am not rash enough to wander into certain danger like a toreador we all know, I suppose if there was plausible enough evidence of a possible answer to the subject of my studies it may be enough to entice me in such a way."

[gayest-classiclit]

oh wow these guys sure didn't die huh

link to the spreadsheet

side a:

iago (othello) vs marya bolkonskaya (war and peace)

edgar (king lear) vs marcus andronicus (titus andronicus)

cosette fauchelevent (les miserables) vs macduff (macbeth)

donalbain (macbeth) vs mark antony (julius caesar)

lancelot (arthuriana) vs bilbo baggins (the hobbit)

gabriel john utterson (jekyll and hyde) vs ralph (lord of the flies)

ernest frankenstein (frankenstein) vs vasili denisov (war and peace)

marius pontmercy (les miserables) vs earl of kent (king lear)

side b:

pyotr verkhovensky (demons) vs osric (hamlet)

benvolio montague (romeo and juliet) vs lucius andronicus (titus andronicus)

odysseus (the iliad/odyssey) vs ishmael (moby dick)

horatio (hamlet) vs nick carraway (the great gatsby)

orpheus (orpheus and eurydice) vs malcolm (macbeth)

fleance (macbeth) vs gene forrester (a separate peace)

amelie bourienne (war and peace) vs friar lawrence (romeo and juliet)

duke of albany (king lear) vs george (of mice and men)

[rickchung]

Disney’s Aladdin x Queen Elizabeth Theatre x Downtown. (via Deen van Meer)

Broadway Across Canada’s touring production of the Disney version of the Middle Eastern folk tale highlights all the glossy fun of the Arabian Nights-inspired musical. It’s easy to see how the elaborate theatre design, ornate sets, and stunning costumes heightens all the fun character performances and showstopping song numbers. There’s a lot to like about the classic story of forbidden love, a magical genie, and three wishes. Marcus M. Martin’s magnetic performance as Genie highlights the show’s over-the-top scale and grandeur.

Cast: Anand Nagraj (as Jafar) and Aaron Choi (as Iago).

Running live on stage now until July 30.

[doriangray1789]

Bir yazının içinden geçerken sesli düşünce

Bu portal bir yazı okumuştum sonra Aurelius ve Shakespeare den örnek verdim, modelleme ‘’karakter’’den bahseden bir yazıya yazılmış alt başlıktı ve RB lerken bu notu iliştirmiştim ancak bendeki zihin farklı çalıyor kısa bir modelleme kuramıyorum bir çok çağırışımın ardından keşke bunu da deseydim gibi fısıltılar dolaşıyor hal bu olunca da konuyu uzatıp bunaltmak için oturuyorum klavyenin başına sonra ortaya bu çıkıyor:

İncelik erdem kadar yüksek bir değer değildir ve en övülesi hedef, cinsiyet ayrımını göz önüne almadan, bir insan olarak iyi bir karakter geliştirmektir. Konuyla ilgili her türlü ikincil düşünce, bu yalın ilkeden hareket etmelidir. Marcus Aurelius’un bir sözüdür:  Bir adamın kendi başına dik durması gerekir, dik tutulması değil... tersi durum içinse William Shakespeare nin Othello’sunda Lago karakteri vardır Othello dan:  Iago, renkli ve uyumlu bir dünyadaki renksiz ve çirkin olan şeydir. Iago, bir siniktir; her şeyi kötü gözle gören, alaycı, olumsuz ve bunun için de tehlikeli bir karakterdir. İnsanların zayıf taraflarını hemen algılayabilecek bir yetiye sahiptir. O hep çevresindekilerin zayıf tarafını yakalamaya çalışan bir avcıdır. Güzeli, doğruyu, iyiyi bilir, ama bunları kullanarak çirkini, yanlışı ve kötüyü getirir. Iago, sinizmin şeytanıdır: Renklerin, biçimlerin ve şiirin olduğu bir dünyada rengi ve biçimi olmayan bir yaratıktır. Kargaşayı nasıl yaratacağını bilir: Cassio, iyi bir askerdir, onu asker olarak yok eder: Othello iyi bir savaşçıdır ve seven bir yüreği vardır; onun hem savaşçı yanını tüketir, hem de seven yüreğini nefretle karartır. Aklıma Ali Şeriati'nin ‘’Aşina Yüzlerle/ Ailesine ve Dostlarına Mektuplar’’ adlı eseri geldi, eserde ‘’SİZİ RAHATSIZ ETMEYE GELDİM!’’diyordu ve devam ediyordu ‘’Hiçbir diktatörün elinde tutsak olmak istemiyorsan sadece bir şey yap: Oku, oku, oku!!’’Peki Şeriati neden öldürülmüştü? Bu soruya yine kendisinin diliyle, ‘’Kevir’’ isimli eserinden bir pasajla cevap verelim: ‘’Bilgisizliğin hâkim olduğu bir çağda ‘’bilmek’’ suç sayılıyordu. Ezilmiş ve hor görülmüş bir toplumda, soylu bir ruha, yiğit bir yüreğe sahip olmak veya Buda’nın dediği gibi, ’’Göller ülkesinde bir ada olmak’’ bağışlanacak suçlardan biri değildi…’’ yaşadığımız sosyal medyanın içinde avatar olmak rüya gibidir, rüyalar, rüya gören kişinin anlatımına dayanması sebebiyle sübjektif karakter taşır ve rüya gören dışında bağlayıcılığı bulunmamaktadır. Yığınlar arasında propaganda yapıldığında, diye yazı yordu Lenin, her zaman çok somut olunmalı, genel parolalarla konuşmamalı, tersine açıklamak ve her soruya basit ve gerçek yanıtlar verilmeli.Kırık bir kalp deneyiminden sonra dünyaya karşı daha güzel ve daha çekici hale gelmek istersiniz bu aklın yeniden inşası için yöntemlerden biridir bu aciz kalındığı için değil makul göründüğü içindir herkesin makulu kendinedir..George Orwell kitaplar ve sigaralar adlı eserinde: her tür­den erdem gizemli bir şekilde birbiriyle bağlantılıymış ve hemen hemen aynı insanlara aitmiş gibi duruyordu. Önemli olan yalnız­ca para değildi; aynı zamanda güç, güzellik, cazibe, atletiklik ve "cesaret" ya da "karakter" adı verilen ve aslında kendi iradenizi başkalarına dayatabilmeniz anlamına gelen şey de vardı. Bu nite­liklerden hiçbirine sahip değildim. sahip değilim derken sadece kendine ait bir şeçeneğe sahip olduğunu vurgulamıştı.. doğru zamanda doğru duyguları hissetmelisiniz..

[bloodtwin]

──────────────────────────────

The following story & dialogue choices will cause Puck to lose approval.

APPROVAL. GREETINGS. RECRUITMENT. DIALOGUE.

──────────────────────────────

GENERAL

- Choosing neutrality. -5 - Cruelty in the name of power or self-interest or that does not end in death. -3 - Betraying companions or allies. -3 - Treating others as lesser than yourself. -3 - Displaying cowardice. -1 - Deception dialogue options. -1 - Certain acts of premeditated violence. -1 - Taking certain things seriously when you could have been silly with it. -1 - Using Illithid powers. (If not convinced to use them.) -1

──────────────────────────────

PUCK-SPECIFIC CHOICES

ACT ONE

- Call him disgusting during his first romance scene. -3 (+1, if followed up with a comment about "being into that.") - The morning after his romance scene, he will express concern & scold you if you let him hold the knife to your throat during sex. -5 - Don't take him seriously when he talks about his Urges. -5 - Call bone-collecting weird. -1 - Lie about what happened when defending him after he killed Alfira. -10 - Tell him you refuse to kill him if he becomes too far gone. -10

──────────────────────────────

ACT TWO

- Don't recruit Iago. -1 - Trust him not to kill Isobel with low-neutral approval. -15 (+5, if medium or higher approval.) - Let Marcus kidnap Isobel. -50 (Must be persuaded to stay in party.) - Tell him you are not afraid of him then fail to conceal your scent. -5 - If romanced, tell him you are no longer interested in him. -1 (+3, if followed with the explanation that you are afraid of him or an extra -1 if followed with the explanation that you find him too dishonest or unpredictable.) - Flirt with Iago. -100 - Refuse to let him kill Kressa Bonedaughter or kill her yourself. -10 - Let him kill Iago if he attacks them when losing control. -50

──────────────────────────────

ACT THREE

- If Iago confided in you, admit that you knew the truth about his past. -5 - Alternatively, if Iago confided in you, fail to deceive him about knowing the truth. -50 - Fail to convince him to understand why you did not tell him the truth. -15 (+5, if succeeded) - Let him kill Iago after he learns the truth. -100 (He leaves the party.) - Kiss Iago while he is in your active party. -1 (You lose approval for every kiss.) - If romanced, ask to kiss him in public. -1 (He only disapproves the first time.) - Reveal personal information about him during Zethino's love test. -3 (-1 for each) - Tell him you don't want to go in to the Open Hand Temple. -1 - Mention that Father Lorgan would still be alive if he were more picky about those he helped. -5 - Refuse to warn those that are on the list of murder targets. -2 - Fail to convince him to spare Valeria. -5 (+1, if succeeded) - Let Orin kill the kidnapped companion. -10 (-100, if it is Iago. Will also leave party if it is Iago, & you cannot choose whether he rejects or embraces Bhaal anymore.) - If Puck embraces Bhaal & you side against him, tell him you will kill Iago next for good measure. -100 (He gains Protector of the Lamb. Inflicts Bleeding with every hit & deals an extra 1d8 Slashing damage.)

──────────────────────────────

[bisexualshakespeare]

[ID pulled from alt: Screenshot of a Twitter post from February 24, 2016 by the Shakespeare Theatre Company (@ShakespeareinDC) reads: "From the 1990 production. Andre Braugher as Iago and Avery Brooks as Othello. Photo by Joan Marcus. #STClunch" Beneath the caption is a color photo of the two actors in performance. /end]

This must've been incredible

[realmadridnews]

Transfer rumours

Transfer in:

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez (Brighton & Hove Albion), David Soria (Getafe CF), Paulo Gazzaniga (Girona CF), Bono (FC Sevilla), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa), Stole Dimitrievski (Rayo Vallecano), Gabriel Slonina (Chelsea London), Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Fernando Pacheco (RCD Espanyol), David De Gea (Manchester United/free agent), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea London), Giorgi Mamardashvili (Valencia CF), Keylor Navas (PSG), Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), Illian Meslier (Leeds United)

Defenders: Fran Garcia (Rayo Vallecano), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munchen), Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Juan Foyth (Villarreal CF), Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea London), Antonio Silva (Benfica Lisbon), Exequiel Zeballos (Boca Juniors), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea London), Andrew Robertson (FC Liverpool), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munchen), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Rafa Marin (Real Madrid Castilla, promotion), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal London), Ivan Fresneda (Real Valladolid), Sergio Ramos (PSG/free agent), Malick Thiaw (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Sergio Arribas (Real Madrid Castilla, promotion), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munchen), Gabri Veiga (Celta Vigo), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Fabinho (FC Liverpool), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (SSC Napoli), Marco Veratti (PSG), Nico Paz (Real Madrid Juvenil A, promotion), Arda Guler (Fenerbahce SK)

Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Alvaro Rodriguez (Real Madrid Castilla, promotion), Roberto Firmino (FC Liverpool, free agent), Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica Lisbon), Mario Dominguez (Valencia CF), Rasmus Hojlund (Atalanta Bergamo), Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus Turin), Joselu (RCD Espanyol), Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen), Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Juanmi Latasa (staying), Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Kai Havertz (Chelsea London), Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt), Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal CF), Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur), Brahim Diaz (staying), Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal CF), Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds United), Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig), Sadio Mane (Bayern Munchen), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Jonathan David (OSC Lille)

Transfers out:

Andriy Lunin (loan/definite transfer): 

Jesus Vallejo (loan): Granada CF

Nacho Fernandez (end of contract): Inter Milan, Villarreal CF

Ferland Mendy: Arsenal London, Tottenham Hotspur, Saudi Arabian clubs

Alvaro Odriozola: Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, Juventus Turin

Daniel Ceballos (end of contract): Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munchen, Inter Milan, Saudi Arabian clubs

Toni Kroos (end of contract): retirement  

Luka Modric (end of contract): Al Ahly SC

Federico Valverde: Chelsea London, FC Liverpool, Arsenal London

Aurelien Tchouameni: Arsenal London, Bayern Munchen, FC Liverpool, Manchester United

Antonio Blanco (loan/buy back option/transfer): Deportivo Alaves

Marco Asensio (end of contract): Aston Villa, Bayern Munchen, PSG, FC Barcelona, Juventus Turin, AC Milan, Arsenal London

Reinier Jesus (loan): CR Flamengo, SC Corinthians, Atalanta BC, SS Lazio, Girona FC

Arda Guler (loan): Bayer Leverkusen

Brahim Diaz: AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund

Lucas Vazquez: Juventus Turin

Eden Hazard (transfer/contract termination): CF Montreal, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Al-Hilal SFC, Tottenham Hotspur, retirement, Inter Miami, RWD Molenbeek

Vinicius Junior: Chelsea London, Manchester United, PSG

Karim Benzema (transfer/agreement): Al-Ittihad Club, Al-Hilal SFC

Mariano Diaz (end of contract): Getafe CF, Al-Shabab FC, Al-Fateh SC, OGC Nice

Luis Lopez: CD Mirandes

Juanmi Latasa (loan/definite transfer): Getafe CF

Sergio Arribas (loan/buy back option): Getafe CF, Girona FC, RB Leipzig, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen, FC Sevilla, RCD Mallorca, UD Almeria

Peter Gonzalez (loan/buy back option): Getafe CF

Carlos Dotor (loan/buy back option): CD Tenerife, Celta Vigo

Marvel (loan/buy back option): Real Valladolid

Marvin Park (loan/buy back option): Rayo Vallecano

Alvaro Carrillo (loan/buy back option):

Nico Paz (loan):

Rafa Marin (loan/buy back option): Real Betis, Villarreal CF, Celta Vigo, Chelsea London, Deportivo Alaves

Mario Martin (loan/buy back option): Rayo Vallecano, FC Andorra

Luis Lopez: CD Mirandes

Theo Zidane (loan/buy back option):

Pablo Ramon (loan/buy back option): CD Mirandes

Mario de Luis (loan/buy back option):

Oscar Aranda (loan/buy back option/definite transfer): F.C. Famalicao

Jaume Jardi: Gimnastic Tarragona

Javi Villar (loan): Unionistas Salamanca CF

Alvaro Martin (end of contract): FC Andorra

Alvaro Rodriguez (loan): RCD Espanyol

Sergio Santos: Real Murcia

Julen Jon (loan): AS Roma U19

Javi Villar (loan): Unionistas Salamanca CF

Israel Salazar: Real Valladolid Promesas

Javi Rueda: Celta Fortuna

Bruno Iglesias (loan): Celta Fortuna

Jeremy Jorge (loan): Atletico Sanluqueno

Mario Camero (loan): Sestao River

[accultant]

👤

We Need to Talk About Ketheric Thorm.

Iago can count the number of friends or even just Acquaintances they've had in their life on one hand. Ketheric Thorm is, for better or for worse, one of them. While Puck was planning the end of the world or whatever, Iago was becoming besties with this sad old man. Besties in the sense that they are sad in very similar ways. Iago... gets Ketheric. At least before they know about the Nightsong, they understand the lengths he goes for his daughter. Not that it's good, or that Iago thinks it's all right, but they Get It. They would likely turn out just like him if they lost Puck. They're just kinda projecting onto each other back and forth while they play lanceboard and drink tea. There's also an added bit of Iago reminding Ketheric of Isobel in an insane, grieving delusion way. They're not so much friends as they are two people who are very sad in similar ways and can sit in silence together about it.

In Iago's main verse, when they run away from the Bhaal Temple, they go to Moonrise Towers (they have nowhere else to go. they are alone without puck and ketheric mf thorm is the second closest thing they have to a friend). This is why they're sent to Last Light Inn with Marcus - Ketheric has put them to work. He gives them protection from Orin and also, the sad, projecting man he is, sees himself in Iago dragging themselves through the shadow-cursed lands because they've lost the last person they had left.

That being said, they betray him and leave his service the second they find Puck/find out Puck is alive. And I think Ketheric, even if he might be upset they're working against him now, understands why. It's for family. They get each other.

Iago tries so hard to convince Ketheric rather than fight him at the end of act ii. Ketheric being taken by Myrkul anyway is something that they have nightmares about for the rest of their life. Needless to say, Iago never mentions any of this and they avoid Isobel and Dame Aylin like the PLAGUE because they know they has every right in the world to be pissed, but also........ bestie ketheric.... sniffles....

[dapperbasil]

Marcus, what would you have done if you couldn't see Lillian again after your Embrace?

"If it had worked out that I didn't see her again after embrace, I fear I would not be here. After Lilliana was lost to me I was quite self-destructive, and I admit I became that way once more after the abuses she suffered at Iago's hands became apparent.

If it worked out that I did not end up meeting her again after my embrace, I likely would have not cared as much for my own condition. I would have put myself entirely into the dangerous situations sabbat that have not proved themselves are used for. I very likely would not have made it to true sabbat status, and most definitely not rose to become bishop. It is... Something I rather not dwell on, forgive me but I will not go further with this experiment of thought."

[accultant]

He looks different too. A bit more rugged. His eyes shine with more emotion than they did before - there’s pain there, and he could certainly use some sleep ( they’re not one to talk ), but there’s color in his cheeks, too. They always thought he had a warm presence, but now he’s radiating. He smiles at them and Iago feels like they can’t breathe for a moment.

It almost makes their shoulders fall in relief before he mentions Moonrise and they’re wound tight as a spring again, a new wave of lies on the tip of their tongue. How else would they explain their very own connection to Moonrise? Lies come so much more naturally, anyway, and it wouldn't be as if it was the first time Iago had lied to Vigor. They’re supposed to be there right now, but their loyalty to Ketheric Thorm was nothing compared to the attachment they had to their brother. There was no hesitation with this decision, but there was a lingering pang of guilt for how quickly they changed their tune. They are grateful to him. He took them in when they ran away from the Bhaal temple and promised them protection as long as they could do some favors for him in return - join Marcus on a little fetch quest, for example. Completely unmoored without their brother and running from the Cult of Bhaal, it was the best option they had at the time. But still, their abandonment of Moonrise was no question the second they discovered Puck was one of the pests they were supposed to take care of. And now Vigor, too, it seems.

Just their luck that he’s roped into this mess too. What a wretchedly small world. 

They want to relax when he does, but they’re still reeling. It feels like they’ve seen a ghost. In all honesty, they didn’t ever expect to see him again.

“That’s a loaded question,” they answer distantly, unhelpfully, when he repeats himself.

They’re startled when he mentions an apology. An apology?

That, and the intentional-or-not double meaning asking them if they’re free. Are they? Are they truly free? You’re overthinking things again.

Iago is all too aware of how poorly they’re reacting to this, which only makes the stumbling worse. Reunions are supposed to be sweet, aren’t they? They should probably stop staring, shouldn’t they? They need to say something, don't they?

He keeps talking as they gawk at him, still in shock by his presence, mind spiraling wildly in the face of such an unexpected meeting. He’s so kind, like hardly a day has passed since he last made them laugh. 

“Don't - Huh? Why are you apologizing?” they stammer before quickly continuing, cringing at how flustered they sound. They wave a hand dismissively, “Doesn't matter. No, no, I don't need any tea. Um. I'm not good at reunions, I'm just now realizing.” I've never had any reason to be. No one's ever been in my life long enough. 

They're still tense, awkward, wringing their hands together nervously, but his smile is so bright, they step just a bit closer to leech off of the warmth. It's a little easier, then, feeling a bit more secure and private within the proximity. Theirs is much smaller, subtle, and a little forced since they aren't quite sure if one would come naturally anymore, but they do try to smile back, “I didn't think I'd see you again. I was wrong about the tea, tea would be nice. Could we sit?” 

Only after their messy stammering and fidgeting hands do they remember to breathe out, “I missed you too, Vigor.”

@accultant ☼

His arms instinctively brace around a fluttering chest. Vigor grips his coat, unable to speak, and afraid that even if he does, his words will falter and break to the racing rhythm of a beaming heart. It takes a moment for him to realise he needs to do something, anything. It was a wisp of hope amongst the unending dark. Seeing them again was something he never dared expect, and yet no less imagined, time and again, during those long nights in the wilderness, hiding from his family.

      Iago is nervous. But they've always been nervous. There's an exhaustion there that is all too familiar, both personally and seen amongst the refugees. He can only hope it is due to the Shadow curse, and not, like his own, borne of years of having the spirit eroded. The thing that concerns him most is how reserved they are. They remember him, right? They're not just being polite, surely. Please remember.

      But Vigor cannot feel anything other than grateful. Their distant demeanour is all that stops him from racing onto a hug.

      How they've changed. Vigor can only hope time has been kind to Iago, despite appearances. Time drifted him away from all his troubles, but not without having to fight for it. He was thinner now, and despite his best attempt to resemble the gentleman he once was, his face was weathered and his haircut scruffy in the back. But it was a small price to pay for his freedom. Besides, why would he want to look the same, anyway? Vigor is grateful to no longer recognise the man who once haunted his reflection.

      Pain once held close to his chest had fallen bare, too tired to grip it as he did when they last met. The pain in his eyes was raw, only for his gaze to soon ignite as a smile pulls and wavers under his moustache (one thing that hadn't changed), yet lit up his dark honey eyes with radiant joy.

      ❝We were making our way to the Gate. It's been...trying...to say the least,❞ careful not to say too much, least he make them worry more. Iago needn't know where he's been or how he was living prior to the tadpole in his skull. They deserve to know that he would have contacted them, given the chance, but will save that story for when they have calmed down. ❝We're doing what we can about the ❛True Souls❜ in Moonrise.❞

      Despite the years apart, and the dire circumstances, Vigor soon finds himself put at ease by the familiar company. After all, Iago was his oldest friend yet living. ❝How have you been?❞ You already asked that. His voice is gentle and soothing as his posture slowly begins to relax. ❝If you're not busy, I'd really like to catch up... I owe you an explanation, and an apology. That is—if you're free,❞ Vigor frets.

      ❝Can I get you anything? Some tea, perhaps? I'm sorry. I'm—I missed you. Just glad to see you again...❞

[bloodtwin]

( @accultant ) ⸻ he doesn’t throw up in a vase this time, so that’s nice. he almost does but not because he feels compelled to pulp the cleric. it’s because today is the day iago finds him. young iago. stir-crazy, touch-starved iago. angry iago. 

puck doesn’t know how he’ll react to seeing them. how they’ll react to seeing him. not well. very much not well at all. and it’ll be slightly different from last time. he looks different, the most glaringly obvious change being his white hair, but he also has scars over his right eye and under his chin. they’ll know something is wrong from those alone. he used to never get scars.

& if his appearance doesn't set off any alarms, then his performance in battle certainly would. he’s sure they were watching the fight against marcus. there’s no way they didn’t notice the change in his fighting; iago knows his old techniques better than anyone. he doesn’t like saying his fighting is weaker now than before, but it is certainly . . .  less intense.

the skill & ability are still there, but his moves are unpolished, rusty. he can’t do what he used to. not only that, but he can die. really, truly die, and his wounds don’t heal overnight. he can’t fight with reckless abandon anymore, so there was a new level of restraint & care that wasn’t there before. even so, he still got pretty scuffed up, having to wait to join the others at the bar so shadowheart could patch him up. he’s her primary patient at this point. well, that’s true in the future too, isn’t it ?   

just because he’s learned to take care of himself doesn’t mean he does it well. only better than he had before. that being said, he’s currently stuck with claw marks in his arms, several lovely bruises, & a limp in his left leg. how quaint. he stumbles his way over to the bar where iago pretends to be friendly with his companions. he’d planned to sneak up on them to be funny, but that probably wouldn’t work in his favor with his injuries. a shame. 

i’ll have to time travel again, i suppose. i need to perfect my run. 

puck leans against the bar to conceal how much he shakes in anticipation of speaking to them.  ‘   hey, look ⸻   ’   his voice is dry, despite the nerves, as he gestures at his white hair. he can always pull off a joke. ‘  ⸻ we match now.   ’

[offoxesandotherstrangeanimals]

👫 MARCUS AND IAGO AND SLADE AND JACOB PLZ!!????

@hellspains @genesisandgenocide

Marcus & Iago

- at least once, Marcus is calling Iago “Maureen” in bed. Whoops. He makes up for it with expensive gifts

- adoption verse: when Iago pretends to be into sports to impress Marcus, Marcus pretends to be into sports so Iago isn’t disappointed (cause in all honesty, he couldn’t care less...)

- Marcus struggles with the worst midlife crisis ever when Iago comes into his life and he’s being dragged into erotic hell :P Other than Jacob, he will dye his hair, shave/wax his chest hair and things alike to appear younger. Oh, and there’s a large stash of viagra in his medicine cabinet (good man’s a doctor, after all)...

- Marcus constantly thinks he’s not good enough (young enough, attractive enough, insert whatever else you want) for Iago, which is one reason for his gifts and why he’s incapable of saying no to Iago, and a reason he tries to avoid Iago’s friends and acquaintances (because one could say “this old fucker???”

Slade & Jacob

- pillow talk AU: Jacob tried to chew his way out of the harness/rope construction once. Slade found it mildly amusing

- Faulkner/apocalypse AU: at some point, Jacob is starting to have malfunctions. They aren’t serious, or very obvious, but Jacob doesn’t dare tell Slade because he fears being useless/replaced. It scares the shit out of him.

- adoption AU: is the only AU Jacob is actually proud of receiving Slade’s tattoo

- main verse: we know that pillow-talk-Jacob is regressing like crazy (with keeping his books, sleeping with them under the pillow, his plushies and so on) but main-verse-Jacob will regress, too. It’ll be less obvious, more subtle, and not as far back, but he will relive the time when he’s first been with Faulkner. So he’ll act like a stubborn, insolent teenager more often than not, and will secretly throw tantrums/cry into his pillow. (BIG SURPRISE HERE, I KNOW!)

- (because I can’t count to four): pillow-talk and adoption-AU-Jacob will try to convince Slade to celebrate holidays. Whoops.

[thecarnivorousmuffinmeta]

Ooh! I would love to hear your thoughts on how Twilight is like Othello!

So, in a nutshell, it goes like this: Carlisle is Othello, Edward is Iago, Aro is Desdemona.

The Beginning

Our story begins with Carlisle departing Volterra on amiable terms. Yes, the diet became a non-negotiable difference between him and Aro, but none the less he views Aro as a very close friend and an uncorrupt and wise ruler.

On his end, Carlisle is the only true friend Aro has (now that Marcus is out of commission). While Carlisle was able to leave Volterra, I imagine Aro both expected and hoped that one day Carlisle would return after realizing for himself he was unable to find the like minded in the wide world.

However, it didn't end up that way. Carlisle turns Edward and rapidly builds himself a coven.

However, there's still no ill feelings towards the Volturi, quite the opposite. We don't hear much from Carlisle himself, but of all Carlisle's many friends, it's only the Volturi who get featured in Edward's story. And, speaking for Carlisle when he's not in the room, there's a giant ass picture of the Volturi on the wall.

Edward loathes that painting.

And this is where the tiniest seeds are sown.

Edward never really likes the idea of a Carlisle before the Cullens, before him, that is to say. When he tells Carlisle's tale, there's this pervading sense of narcissism throughout it. Carlisle's life was miserable and damned until he saw the divine spotlight hanging over Edward and turned him.

The Volturi, oh, yeah, guess they were around and important BUT NEVER MIND THEM.

Edward never outright says anything, not even really to Bella or to himself, but his internal narration and what he does say speaks for him. He doesn't like the painting, he leaves only the bare minimum of their influence in the story, he doesn't even tell Bella what they really do and why he may have fucked up in telling her the secret.

He doesn't want to think about them and never wants to meet them.

If he ever does, it is only under the pretext that they will be the tools he uses to kill himself when Bella dies.

New Moon

As Edward told Bella, when he thought she died, he travelled to Volterra and asked for assisted suicide. They said no.

And that, that is the moment that they become corrupt tyrants.

Before then, Edward didn't necessarily like the Volturi, he certainly didn't like the threat they represented to Bella but he had no real thoughts on them. Indeed, he viewed them with enough respect that he thought they would grant his suicide request.

But then they didn't.

And granted, we don't know what Edward witnessed in Volterra, we don't know what he heard going around in everyone's head, but given that this is Edward I think this alone is enough.

They didn't give Edward what he wanted. Then, worse happens, they become a legitimate threat to Bella Swan.

They have now seen Bella in person, Aro lays down the law, Aro shows interest in her gift, and everything's spiraling out of control. By the time we hit the meeting in New Moon that Bella is present for, Edward is accusing Aro of openly being a corrupt tyrant.

However, ultimately, Edward, Bella, and Alice do return to Forks unharmed (though with Bella's turning hanging over their heads). And Edward does not forget that.

We don't see Edward's immediate reunion with the family, we don't see exactly what he says to Carlisle about what happens, but I imagine Edward tells Carlisle what he tells him later in Eclipse: that Aro is a power hungry monster who will stop at nothing to collect Edward and Alice (funny how Edward always leaves Bella out of that when she's the one Aro would actually want but never mind that).

Given what has happened so far, Carlisle very likely does not believe this. Yes, Edward has his gift, but he hears so little of what people think and things are easily misinterpreted.

Had Aro wanted Bella, he would have demanded she be turned and stay there, it was well within his rights. As it was, he did something very generous for the Cullens and Carlisle at least will be grateful because of it.

Edward goes and smashes another TV after having smashed the first after the vote.

Eclipse

Then the events of Eclipse happen.

First, we start with the ramp up.

Seattle is being terrorized, it becomes clearer and clearer that this is not gang violence nor another Ted Bundy, this is a newborn army. The Cullens, Carlisle, wait on the Volturi to arrive: they never do.

Edward continues to disparage the Volturi but now... Now Carlisle is starting to listen.

Aro is letting Seattle burn because he wants Edward and Alice, he has this vision of total omniscience by holding on constantly to Edward and Alice's hands and he will be utterly unstoppable. He'll use this as an opportunity to wipe out the coven so he can take the gifted members.

As for Bella, a vampire has been sneaking into her bedroom, it's likely a Volturi agent sent by Caius or Jane under Aro's implicit orders. (Though everyone actually disagrees with this one, even Alice, who helpfully tries to give Edward an out of "maybe it was Jane!" Carlisle just sits in the corner looking pained and dubious.)

Carlisle likely doesn't believe all of this. Yes, Aro collects gifts, and yes the Volturi's absence is bizarre and damning, but what Edward is saying is... well, evil.

But then Jane shows up, just after the battle has ended, strolling in like she has all the time in the world. She tortures and murders Bree Tanner, a girl who never even had a chance to know what the law was, and leaves with a parting threat that Bella better be turned or else.

Carlisle's faith in the Volturi is completely shaken, such that, when the Renesmee debacle happens, desperately gathering witnesses is his family's only means of survival.

Now, where the Othello comes in, is I don't think Aro's guilty. His having given that order makes no sense on any level. More, for all Alice was stretched thin, she was certain that she would see any major decision coming from Aro during Eclipse. She did not, implying that someone else was behind it (my money's on Caius).

However, by allowing this to happen, any of this to happen, and with Edward spewing poison, Aro becomes everything Edward is saying and more.

And there is nothing he can possibly say to make up for what happened and so he says nothing.

Which, of course, just makes everything worse.

Breaking Dawn

Irina goes to the Volturi and tells Aro that the Cullen coven has created an immortal child. Less than six months ago, the Volturi subtly tried to wipe the Cullen coven off the map, and now Irina has just handed them every excuse they need.

Carlisle doesn't question what happens next: he gathers witnesses.

If his coven stands alone, they will fall and they will die, and if the Volturi act then there must be many vampires watching this go down so as to hold them accountable.

Of course, gathering witnesses quickly turns into gathering an army, which is not what Carlisle wanted but what he got.

In the meantime, Edward and Eleazar are riling each other up and painting a very bleak history of Volterra: of what has happened to other gifted covens in the past.

And then it happens: the confrontation in Breaking Dawn.

Renesmee is clearly not an immortal child, the Volturi admit as much, but the confrontation continues regardless. It becomes about whatever Renesmee is, about the wolves, about anything and everything.

Then Aro does it. He uses every gifted vampire he has against them. Jane, Chelsea, Alec, through Bella's gift alone the group is spared but if Bella hadn't been there.

I imagine Carlisle thought he and every witness he gathered would have died that day.

(For the record, I don't think that was Aro's intention.)

And just like that, it's done, whatever man Carlisle thought he knew in Volterra was a lie. Edward was right, this man is utterly corrupt and will sacrifice everything for power.

And the end isn't here yet.

There will be another confrontation and, the way canon will likely go, the Volturi will lose.

Which is very bad for all of us.

Back to Othello

The important thing here is that, throughout all of this, while a series of the world's most tragic miscommunications and events took place, you also had Edward on the side insisting the worst about Aro at every turn.

Hence, Carlisle is Othello, Edward Iago, Aro Desdemona.