#makkaro and gienne

[spicylove4ever]

Makkaro Aetherward picking a fight with everyone on MotH.

This is just hypothetical, just for fun, and I will not add fights that have already happened like when he slaughtered the Warden.

Makkaro Vs The Guardian/Raze (the aftermatch, because we didn't get to see the right-after-the-fight).

Makkaro Vs Mirrin

I'm aware Mirrin is a half dragon, not an hydra.

Makkaro Vs Zed (what happened on the most recent chapter is more like a confrontation and verbal fighting)

Makkaro Vs Kayble Piscis (this one is more desire for Karma than joking around)

Makkaro Vs Shee Mahan

Yes, in this hypothetical escenario, Frank would be Panic XD

Makkaro Vs Frank

What do you mean this is not exactly like when they were arguing who would be punished when they got captured?

Makkaro Vs Shee Khan

So I feel like there's a chance Makkaro would survive depending on whether Shee Khan decides to just defeat instead of going for the kill or if Makkaro is good dodging big creature's attacks.

Makkaro Vs Darling/Gienne

I have the feeling the way Makkaro was going he would have totally forgot. XD

[maramirror11]

Reminiscences of the past

This is my Darling's POV throughout those 3 years they were separated from Makarro. Thank you @haradasaya for being the beta reader!

TW: Slight mentions of eating disorders.

I hope you enjoy it!

Pronouns: They/Them

As I was washing the dishes, I realized that it has been a week since I last saw my husband. The day after the feast, he left to continue his work. Now, the Guardian is locked up and there is no one capable of interfering. Nonetheless, I'm worried.

He hasn't come home nor contacted me at all. I know he can lose himself in his work, but not like this. I know him, he hasn't been taking care of himself.

I have this feeling that something is wrong. So, I'm writing them down to help me understand.

Lately I wonder why I am going along with all of this. It's not like I don't want my throne back, but it feels like he's hiding something from me.

I need to remember when all of this started…

… 

It was an awful full moon night. I got the new evidence after my case became cold. Even if it was a trap, we needed to try. My dearest Makarro said we'll reunite at the shipping yard. I ran as fast as I could but someone followed me.

When we got reunited with my dearest, we finally solved our case. My brother Kayble admitted that he was responsible for my threat letter and the senator hired the assassins. 

Since we found out about this, Kayble sent Makarro to a place called Black Site. He was being sentenced for kidnapping and high treason. I tried to explain that I escaped and took refuge with him. But Kayble didn't listen. As he was taken away, we both promised we'll see each other again.

My brother knew if the citizens found out about the real story, the government reputation would fall. So, he wanted to make sure no one could speak about this incident.

"Don't take him away" "Let him go!" I kicked and screamed as I was dragged into the carriage.

As always, my orders were ignored. After a year and a half, I was going back "home".

It felt like an eternity on the ride back to the castle. We arrived a few hours before the sunrise. I stayed in a cell until Kayble finished the preparation to spread the news. 

Early in the morning, he announced my arrival at the castle’s balcony in front of all the people present.

"Dear citizens. As you know, the heir of Manas disappeared a long time ago. Our hearts prayed to the Guardian for their safely return to us"

"As your prince, it was my duty to find and bring back my sibling…"

He narrates the story of how he found out I was kidnapped by an evil wizard and bravely rescued me.

I was behind him, inside the castle, during his speech. As he finishes, Kayble turns around, extends his hand and makes a gesture for me to come out.

At first, I decided I wouldn't go out. He took everything I loved, why would I follow his plan?

Suddenly, I heard the cheers from my people, happy for my safety. They were screaming my name and begging me to step out. I couldn't refuse to see them. Slowly, I went outside smiling and waving my hand.

I carefully chose my words.

"My dear citizens, I'm sorry for upsetting you but thank you for keeping me in your prayers. I'm honored to be able to see you again. May the gods bring us a better future for our great nation"  As the sound of applause got higher, I went back inside.

It wasn't hard, being part of an aristocratic family, acting was a basic skill. But, I wasn't aware that would be the last time I'll feel like I had a choice.

Afterwards, my brother escorted me to my new bedroom. When we arrived, all my stuff was already there. My bed, bookshelf, jewelry box, etc. Except that something was bothering me. Why would he change my room?

When I stepped inside, I heard a click sound behind me and realized the door was locked.

“You should be thankful I even let you live. Enjoy your stay, dear sibling”. Then he walked away.

I immediately tried to open the door with all my strength but I couldn't, not even shouting and hitting would do something.

It didn't work before but I needed to try. While I was away, Kayble built this room and prepared it to prevent any possible escape. Yet that didn’t stop me.

After that day, I had many escape attempts. But, there was little I could do with just one small window and a door with locks on the outside. It was me against the entire castle guards and servants.

I wanted to test them at first, so I tried the predictable ones. Run away whenever they open the door, carve my way to another room, convince others to help me, and more.

Then, I started to create more elaborate plans, but never got too far. Later on, the security knew practically all my strategies and made it impossible for me to come up with new ideas.

In the end, I decided to take some time to observe and analyze any new opportunity instead of rushing it.

… 

I was in that cell, or bedroom as they called it, all day. The only exceptions were when I needed to be present for an event and then back to the same place. Just like an animal you take out of their cage for display. A big cage filled with precious items, but a cage nonetheless.

What bothered me the most was that I barely had people visit me. I got used to having someone to talk to and be my real self. Then again, I had to be on high alert.

Servants came from time to time. They'll come to clean and bring me new clothes or food. However, they were ordered not to talk to me nor give me anything else, they were being watched all the time.

The only one who stayed enough time was Kayble, but his visits weren't exactly pleasant.

"That's the summary of the last reunion. You know you could've left this place a long time ago, right? All you need to do is follow my instructions"

"..."

"Since you insist on being so stubborn, I guess you need more time alone”

Then, he’ll leave me again. 

My father never said anything, when he wanted to see me, I'll go to him. I'm not sure if he knew about this or not.

I don’t know how I kept myself sane. I was left alone with my thoughts all day.

How did we end up like this?

After everything, how Kayble, my own brother, could do this to me? How couldn't I see this coming?

Was my dearest all right? Was he even alive at this point?

Would he like to see me again? It’s my fault that he’s in prison.

HOW can I LEAVE this place? Can ANYTHING GET BETTER after this?

My routine was sitting on my bed and trying to find answers. However, that only made it worse. So, I tried to keep my mind occupied.

“Alright, I’ve finished reading my book today. I couldn't have predict the ending, it’s just the fifth time I read it”

“The sun is already going up? I’m just halfway through my writing”

“Talking to myself isn’t that bad actually. Still, I wish I was with my dearest, at least we’ll find a more interesting topic than guessing clouds shapes"

Sadly, everything became dull after a while.

Even when my body was occupied, I had this persistent question on my mind.

How did my little brother turn into this monster I don’t recognize? 

The coldness in his eyes when I was captured was terrifying. I've never seen him with so much hatred.

He used to be so kind. After our mother died, I practically raised him and taught everything since our father was occupied with his duties.

"Are you free to play a match of wingball? Father said he's too busy"

"Of course Kayble, but don't be mad at me when I win. You know I'm a great player"

…

"You won again?! You'll see next time, I'll win for sure!"

I'll give everything just to play a match with you like the old times.

"One day I want to be like you!" He used to tell me. I can't help but get emotional every time I remember those moments.

Even as grown ups, we had our differences but we got along well. He always looked down to himself, unable to see how amazing he is and looked for validation from others. 

Unfortunately, he found it with the other leaders when our family took the position of heirs after Mazzel died and all her children escaped.

Even with that, I still can't believe he was ready to make me paranoid. Be afraid to die at the hands of assassins if that means I’ll do what he wants.

There was a small part of me that hoped we'd get along again, but everyday Kayble shows me how impossible that dream is.

I wonder if we were a normal family, everything could've ended differently. 

…

My life took a drastic change when I became the heir of Manas. I am from an aristocratic family, our title had a lot of weight in Tyrannis.

I was trained in everything an heir needed to know. Etiquette, how to walk properly, what to say to get my way and infinite resources to do anything I want.

Even so, I felt that I could do more to help others. That’s the reason I specialized in healing magic and potions. At that moment, it was the only thing I was able to do. Now, I had the opportunity to make a real change.

But my problems started when I worked with the other leaders. We’ll have our differences, they want to continue the traditions which means they are afraid of the new possibilities outside help can provide.

Mazzel's consequences are worse than we thought and we really need to ask for outside help. However, my words, despite my title, were irrelevant. I was alone with my beliefs, no one was brave enough to go against the prince.

...

It was destiny that all the events that happened after the reunion. Receiving a threat letter was the best and worst thing that happened to me.

On one hand, I was aware of the real intentions of someone I worked close by. On the other hand, if I didn’t escape, I wouldn’t have found the love of my life.

I knew I couldn't trust anyone inside the castle for help. Then I remembered these rumors about a brilliant detective who wasn't associated with the MCPD. Since I had nothing to lose, I went looking for him.

Even with his rude introduction, he didn't look like he had bad intentions. I can judge people pretty well, he seemed like someone I could trust. His name is Makarro Aetherward.

I ended up staying in the detective’s house while we investigated the case. Surprisingly, we got along and quickly it became my home as well.

It was unreal how happy I was there, it felt like someone took a huge weight from me. Sure, I needed to learn how to cook and clean for myself, but I was free.

No more being bossed around by the others nor be worried about pleasing everyone. I could truly be myself.

Also, Makarro's company was pleasant. The best moments of my day were when we could spend time together, mundane things turned out as fun experiences.

Cooking became my new hobby, making food and then tasting it with him is something I couldn’t trade for anything. How his face went from faking a smile to actually enjoy it, was enough to try my best the next time.

“Do you like the new recipe? It's from my books”

“This is really good, I'm surprised” His face lit up when he put the spoon in his mouth.

“Oh, so you didn't like my food before? You were lying to me?” I put my hand on my mouth as dramatic as possible.

“No! That's not what I-”  He quickly shakes his head. 

“Oh, you are so gullible” I couldn’t contain my laugh any longer. He can't do anything but look in defeat with a smile.

“Don't worry, I know my cooking wasn't the best. Honestly, those spices make the difference”

When I felt comfortable enough, I started to re-decorate the house. It screamed “I don’t live here because it feels lonely” and didn’t feel like a home someone would like to return.

I started with some plants, not flowers because I’m allergic to pollen, then vases, paintings and my own stuff. Even if I barely got outside, hanging out together at home felt like a dream I didn’t want to wake up. 

I went outside mostly when I helped with cases but I enjoyed myself every time, even when we ran for our lives from the assassins. Normally, it'll be scary but I felt safe with him. I knew together we'll find a way out.

Later on, he told me I brought color into his life, and so did he to mine. After a couple of dates, we got together officially.

My favorite ones were when we went to dance, both outside and inside the house, it was just us in the world.

For that year and a half, I forgot how cruel it was back at the castle, what it was like to be invisible. Sometimes I wonder if it was better if I never ran away, at least you could've been safe...

…

I thought I could handle being alone with nothing but my thoughts but I was wrong. 

There was nothing I could do but to walk in circles in my tiny room.

After a while I started to feel that they’ll try to eliminate me again, despite doing everything right. When I thought I was being paranoid, I remember that they, in fact, tried to kill me.

I had nothing but my brother's empty words, with the promise to keep me alive. At the end of the day, their mission is the same. As long as I live, they can’t do what they want. 

Perhaps they will be more cautious, the next time it could be an “accident”. It is easier to tell people I died because of food poisoning. Also, everything I eat is served by them.

I ended up eating less and less until I stopped eating all together. At the same time, I asked the staff to stop coming to my place. I couldn’t take any chances, so I cleaned up myself.

It kept me occupied for a while. Maintaining my room clean and organized felt like I cleansed my own mind.

…

I got weaker and weaker with time, my hopes of going outside were fading. I could barely get out of my bed and I didn’t have a reason to do it either.

The dust started to pile up, my wrinkled clothes stayed on the floor and the window was covered with a curtain.

I could only hear the sound of my own breathing and sometimes, a few steps outside. There was nothing new to experience, even the hunger couldn't bother me. There was nothing but my thoughts. 

And suddenly, I got the realization that nothing will change even if I get out. It shattered the few sanity I had left.

All these negative thoughts plagued my mind until the idea of finally doing what they wanted crossed my mind. Tears slowly fell down on my face as I accepted my defeat.

Being a puppet for someone was my greatest fear and it was closer to becoming inevitable. After many months, I still couldn't find a way out and staying locked up wasn't a great plan either. 

I was thinking of explaining to my brother my change of mind, when a sudden breeze moved the curtains. The sunlight came right to my face, interrupting my plan.

Reluctantly, I got up and slowly approached the wall.

"I don't remember the sunlight being so bright"

When I was about to close the curtains, I stopped and looked outside. I could see the city, people doing their normal routine.

They still have hope for the future even with the war scars on them. They deserve it and I know for sure my brother won’t give them that. No one in this castle cares for them.

But I do.

I care and CAN make that future happen.

I felt a boost of motivation. I took out the curtains, cleaned my bedroom and organized my stuff.

At that moment, I swore, even with my last breath, I’ll do my best for them. Not only that, also my dearest is still looking for me.

I need to get myself together, we’ve promised to see each other again and I don't break a promise.

I needed to be stronger, I wouldn’t let them down. But, in order for me to do that, I had to start eating once more. Still not everything on the plate, but enough to give me energy. Just one step at a time.

…

Who knew three years went by until I got to see my love and freedom again. It was like any other day, I was sitting on a chair reading when Kayble visited me.

Once again he tried to convince me to follow his story. Then he dropped the phrase that I feared the most.

"I most definitely HATE YOU"

At that moment, my heart shattered, I knew there was no going back to how we used to be.

But I couldn’t show him my emotions, I had to keep my ground. My unwavering gaze stayed focused on his eyes as I desperately tried not to cry.

When he left, I heard a familiar voice. It came from the shadow next to my window.

It was my dearest Makkaro! I could barely believe my eyes. I was ecstatic, he was alive! I wanted nothing more than to give him a big hug. 

But when I tried to approach him…

"Wait, no, don't move"

I stopped. Wasn't he happy to see me?

"Did you betray me? Was my love a game to you?"

I couldn’t see his face, but his voice was enough to know his feelings.

At first, I was in shock, does he really think I'm capable of that?

Then I realized, the story my brother created probably traveled to the place he was trapped.

"It's not true, my dearest" "I love you… I really really missed you" I could barely contain my tears.

He sounded relieved. Despite that, I couldn’t get close yet. It was until he got into the light that I understood. To say that he looked horrible was an understatement.

He had bruises, scars, burn marks. WHAT did they do to him? I was looking at an undead. He was more dead than alive. 

At the moment, he just said they did terrible things to him, and even cried. 

I couldn’t do anything to comfort him, still, what could I even say? He suffered because of me and no amount of words could take his memories away.

He told me how learned necromancy and escaped. That was impossible, necromancers lose their minds almost immediately and yet he sounded mostly like he used to be.

Finally he mentioned the Karmic Touch, a curse upon necromancers. Anything in contact with skin, it melts. The only exception is a protection spell.

He asked me if I could accept him like this. I didn’t even think twice and made the protection spell right away.

I immediately ran to him and we hugged tightly. It has been so long since the last time we could be together, I didn’t want it to end.

I could feel how slim he was. I have no idea how he could keep himself standing.

Suddenly, we heard noises from outside and were brought back to reality. We weren’t safe and he offered to escape in his own way. He asked if he could kidnap me. My dearest has the worst choice of words in the worst moments, and I love it. 

"Are you asking me to marry you?" I said with a grin and tears of joy.

He confirmed. 

"I'd love to"

Then we made a vow. I’ll take any chance to be with him again, even if I need to leave everything behind.

I won’t abandon him again. Besides, there is nothing left for me here. He is my new home.

After that, we teletransported to a safer location while destroying the room with fire. We arrived at this place far away from the castle when I saw it, a talking skeleton. 

Certainly, I should've expected that but nothing really prepares you when you see it. His name is Frank, a friend of Mak. Despite the way he talks, he seems trustworthy.

And my new life began.

…

After writing down everything we went through, I remember. We've been through hell to get where we are now. There are sacrifices we need to do to get what we want. 

I know necromancy surely will take over my dearest someday. But this is the reason, even if it's just a small chance to save him from this and get enough strength to change the future of my city, I’ll take it.

But the uneasy feeling hasn't gone away completely. 

I should check up on him.

The End.

[palilious]

I totally forgot that I never posted this but I did a quick art trade with @nanowatzophina of their Yargwynn and Paradise!

[darlin-collins]

Mary on a cross by Ghost is makkaro/Gienne coded

[jarromir]

me when ‘The Dustworld’

there goes my Makkaro and Gienne fanart i was planning…

[goodboyaudios]

You've received a similar question like this before, but I wanted to kiiind of rephrase it-

World swap between MOTH and BVZ. What if the story of MOTH took place in Spring rock? What would change in the characters(maybe just the listeners and main cast) and what would their roles be??

And what about the BVZ cast? What if their story took place in Manas? What would change and what would their roles be?

You're really making me use my brain here.

Part of the reason both stories work is because of the worlds themselves.

Hipswitch would die on Manas because of the faena in the atmosphere, and there couldn't be wizards on springrock without it.

You'd have to rewrite the stories completely.

Make Raze some loner bounty hunter who's secretly the world's best and make Zed an upstart who just wants to learn from her. Makkaro would probably be a Rogue bounty hunter who went off with Gienne, his target, which would make Frank probably a robot dog-lile companion. Mahann would probably be some kind of other Rogue bounty hunter who survived Makkaro, but only like barely or something.

On Manas, if we ignore the Hipswitch thing and change his whole ass race, he'd be an elemental construct living his life before stumbling across Karmor around his home in the Cascade Isles. Doc would be a wizard elemental sympathizer, and Albus would be...well Albus. He'd need a new sword.

[hej-krukowaty]

A (terrible) idea that's been swimming in my AuDHD brain for weeks

Good Boy Audio x Rocky Horror? Zed = Brad Majors Guardian = Janet Weiss Devlin = Riff Raff Faithful = Magenta Darling/Gienne = Columbia Hipswitch = Rocky Makkaro = Eddie Xarantharos = Dr. Scott Albus = Frank-N-Furter The Criminologist = Either GB himself or Frank. Frank would be funny Any other character suggestions are welcome!

[yourwonderful]

Basically the argument that Makkaro and Zed had in the latest episode

Zed: have you been talking to my boyfriend?! (guardian)

Makkaro: No I haven't been talking to your boyfriend

Zed: *sigh*

Makkaro: your boyfriends been talking to me!

Zed: excsue me?! Why would he be talking to you?! You look like a mess!

Makkaro: And you look like your balding with that missing hairline!

Zed: the only thing missing is your dad (Gienne/kinder or wife) that's why your such a homewrecker!

Makkaro: HIYAHHH

Magreos: DAMNNN

[imagonista]

ANOTHER using songs from musicals to describe characters from M.O.T.H, multiple songs edition, so this brain dump will be longer than usual. Read if you dare.

"No One Mourns the Wicked" from Wicked - basically all of Manas when Mazzul dies. Just the sections when everyone is talking about how glad they are the witch is dead and how, well, "no one mourns the wicked," not when Glinda is explaining the circumstances of the Wicked Witch's birth.

One section of "No Good Dead" from Wicked ("Nessa....Dr. Dillamond....Fiyero...FIYERO!!!!!!); was relistening to the betrayal episode, the part right after Mirrin passes out and Zed is just...having a mini breakdown, and just starts calling out names, including Y'narri's, and my brain made the connection. Just the pure anguish of failure to help those important to you.

"Something to Believe In" from Newsies - I feel that this song definitely fits Makkaro and Gienne's relationship, just, minus the part that Makkaro is killing people. But the idea of the two of discussing that it was under strange circumstances that they fell in love considering their different statuses, as well as how even if something happens to either of of them, and how they both give eachother something to believe in.

"And if I'm gone tomorrow,

What was ours, still will be!

I have something to believe in,

Knowing you believed in me!

I have something to believe in,

Now I know that you believed in me!"

Note that protesting about newsie wages is MUCH different than murdering people to form a new society. Also Makkaro would NOT be a tenor.

Not any song in particular, but just Makkaro's character is fairly similar to Sweeney Todd; regular men who fell in love with a woman, and then the corrupted government unjustly imprison them and send them away, and once they return/break free, they go on a murder spree. Just take some lyrics from the opening number:

"Sweeney pondered and Sweeney planned

Like a perfect machine, he planned

Sweeney was smooth, Sweeney was subtle,

Sweeney would blink and rats would scuttle"

"He served a dark and a vengeful god

(He served a dark an a vengeful god)"

"Dead Girl Walking Reprise" from Heathers - This could possibly be Gienne when she finally realizes that Makkaro's plan is not the solution she wants for the cruelty done by her family. Mostly the first half of the song, since in the second half, that would imply that Makkaro would try to kill Gienne (though, considering the experiments and the circumstances that made him a necromancer, it *could* happen, but I'm not sure).

Specifically these lyrics:

"I wanted someone strong who could protect me,

I let his anger fester and infect me.

His solution is a lie,

No one here deserves to die,

Except for me and the monster I created!"

Though the part when Veronica sings

"I wish we met before they convinced you life is war"

which is in the second half of the song also feels like it would fit Gienne talking to/about Makkaro (and yes, I'm aware that they knew eachother before Makkaro was imprisoned, but the idea of wishing to have stopped the pain someone went through that caused their murderous intentions probably remains) (also, JD in the musical is not as abusive to Veronica as he is in the movie; and it's genuinely sad when he sacrifices himself because he knows he's a lost cause)

"Home" from Beetlejuice - I definitely see this with Zed; it's a song about being lost without a loved one (who died) and how they have no home without them. In the musical it's Lydia's mom, for Zed it would be his sister Y'narri. Though only the first two thirds of the song, since the final third of the song goes from hopelessness to hope, and unless Zed gets at least a semi-happy ending when the series ends, I don't think it would fit. Also also, the song is set in a dimension where the dead are, which is why Lydia is trying to call for her mom. For Zed, this probably wouldn't be the case; connecting him with this song is for more emotional reasons than actual circumstances.

Lyric examples:

"You left, but I'm still standing,

Spinning on this infinite road,

Terrified of letting you go,

No light above and there's no hope below,

And I don't know which way is home.

(Sis) I got my heart in my hand,

Speak to me and I'll understand!

One little word to know I'm not alone,

And show me the way back home."

And

"The nothingness ahead of me,

Is this the end you meant for me?

Every living minute,

There's no home without you in it.

I'm falling!

Quit stalling!

Your (brother) is calling your name!

I've burnt all my bridges again!

"Not One of Us" from The Lion King 2 (yes I enjoyed this movie and the music from this movie, sue me). Basically all of Manas to the Mistwood siblings after Mazzul's death; hatred of the offspring/kin of an evil corrupted ruler. Only difference is in the song, they say "let him run, let him live, but do not forget what we cannot forgive!", and based on what happened to Y'narri, people are NOT willing to let the Mistwood siblings live.

"Made of Stone" from Hunchback of Notre Dame (the staged musical). Just a full song of self-blaming and self-regret. How everything he does just ends in disaster, so he just gives up. Okay, Zed doesn't give up like Quasimodo does, but I interpret he'd at least be in that hopeless mindset.

Okay, and that's all from my musical brain-dump. Hopefully, for everyone's sake, this will be the last one for a while.

[lorepossum]

HOOOOOOOBOY Escaped you activated my trapcard (the trapcard being that im ALSO writing a big essay on MotH and I can and will talk about it with hardly any prompting, till i am blue in the face). Feel free to use this if you want i have SO MANY THOUGHTS

1) I started MotH very early in my “listening to fantasy asmr” journey, as such it was a slow roll of me thinking about its themes. It started as just another thing to listen to (my first GBA series). But I think the second I realized that Zed and Mak were the two sides of the same story I started to go off the rails. You could pull so many themes from MotH that it makes my head spin sometimes.

The most obvious to me upon starting was Love, the power of it, the turmoil of it, and the lengths to which it will make people go. Of course with a name like “Magic of the Heart” (Matters of the Heart as per one of Geeb’s tumblr ask answers) that’s fairly obvious. But to me it’s deeper than that. It’s more than just the romantic love between Makkaro and Darling, or the youthful puppy love that Zed has for the Guardian. It’s the familial love Zed still feels for his mother and family (despite what Mazul’s done), it’s Kayble and Darling’s familial relationship, which can be implied to have perhaps once been loving. The feelings the Guardian still has for Magreos and how they eventually (unhealthily) extend to Zed. It’s the delusions that Makkaro’s love for Darling makes him believe justify his crimes mixing with his anger and desire for revenge and then the strength to come back from such a dark place through the power of that same love for his wife.

Love is such a complicated thing and MotH manages to encapsulate so many complicated facets of it. Facets that most media doesnt bother to explore. The love a “God” has (or doesn’t have) for the people who worship them. In my mind Zed displays more Agape in his appeal for mercy for Makkaro than The Guardian ever does.

Literally any one of those could be a whole damn thesis. But I digress…

2) GOD the two perspectives is everything to me. I love a story that can make me reevaluate every little thing with one revelation. I started with Makkaro only (because he is best) so hoping back and listening to Zed was a revelation to me. All of the hints about what Mak’s doing and who Darling is in Zed’s early episodes pinged my brain off the walls. It was the reason I listened to season 1 of MotH so many times that I nearly had episodes memorized. The way it leads down the thread of the story without being too overbearing made me want to pull out my Pepe Sylvia board and make charts.

Not only that, but god damn, the way MotH just would not work without the duel perspectives. With only Zed, Makkaro is a mostly flat and unambiguous villain, evil to the core. With only Makkaro, the Guardian’s downward spiral and reasons for being in the story at all are lost. Together they form a complex and layered narrative of foils and character mirrors.

Makkaro and Gienne mirror The Guardian and Magreos. But The Guardian sees Magreos in everyone they meet, they are unable to escape it, or him. Zed and Makkaro act as foils to one another, while Zed and Gienne see aspects of their most beloved/beloathed siblings in each other. This kind of character work would be absolutely impossible without starting with both Zed and Mak being separate and then slowly coming together over the course of the series.

3) Honestly? I could go on about Makkaro as a whole because his character was such a delightful play and changing up of tropes that surprised me in the best way from beginning to end. But more than anything it was The endings. And I absolutely adore Geeb for it. I when I started MotH I fully expected Mak to die, or Darling to die, or both. I expected Zed to get with the Guardian eventually and the “‘villain’” (heavy air quotes there) to die, because that’s the story you expect. It’s typical, it’s what most other media would do. Never mind the fact that Zed is 19 and the Guardian is a mentally unstable demi-god, people wanted that ending. But it didnt happen.

Mak and Gienne get a happy ending. Sure it is bittersweet, but they get to live and to love one another. They get to live the ending that The Guardian and Megaros didn’t get to. It’s beautiful.

Meanwhile Zed gets something better than a partner or a girlfriend, he grows as a person. Zed’s arc is so poignant and bittersweet and amazing. His journey into coming to understand himself is 10x better than any kiss between him and the Guardian (in my humble opinion). I absolutely adore the ending of MotH BECAUSE it does something most stories wouldn’t. It makes its message about more than just romantic love, but love of friends, and love of self. And I think that’s fucking amazing.

I could go on. But I should probably save some for my essay lmfao. Im excited to see yours Escaped!

Hi guys! I'm working on my first video essay, and it's going to be an in-depth analysis of Magic of the Heart seasons one and two by Good Boy Audios. I'm still in the research stage, but I want some insight from the audience! I want to include some commentary on the impact it had on listeners of the series. I want something a little more comprehensive than what's available in the comments, and don't want to just project my personal opinions. I have a few questions!

1. Did you ponder the themes of the story as you listened? If the answer is yes, what would you say they were?

2. What did you think of the story unfolding through two separate perspectives?

3. Did the series defy or subvert your expectations at any point? If yes, what were those moments, and how did you react to the subversion of your expectations?

Answer in comments/reblogs/dms/whatever. Let me know if you're OK with me quoting your answers in the video!

[spicylove4ever]

Post GBA's Magic of the Heart headcanons.

When Zed told Mirrin the whole thing, that was for Mirrin a green light for teasing for letting the oportunity on a silver plate to kiss the Guardian go. He laughted so much about his own jokes without a care of the pain on his battle injuries.

The Guardian kept the Archangel plushie for the memento of the date with Zed.

Among the baggage the evil couple took with them to their new land of residence, there are all the sharp objects they used and will still use in case any weird visit shows up.

Makkaro and Giene made an honorary grave for Frank on their new backyard.

The Piscis family found a way to use the news of Makkaro's downfall for their political gain. Those statements on the newspaper were received with lots of cursing words in 3 different locations (Mirrin at his place: the f"/$ did you even do you good-for-nothing snobs! Zed somewhere: what is this? that's not how it happened! How could you even use the Guardian's name here in vain you.... you.... uhm... freaks! Gienne: YOU F+#&ING LYING BASTARDS!!! F+·& YOUR FACES! F+#& YOUR STUPID DYNASTY!! Makkaro: (just stares at Gienne with a mix of awe and shock as the swearing goes on for long minutes)).

Zed has now mixed feelings whenever he finds himself close of any graveyard because it reminds him of Makkaro's undead and their master as well. So he is reminded of plenty of traumatic skeleton attacks but also a necromancer he chewed up and then set loose an angry god to.

Gienne has no kill count, but that could change now that she's one of the main deffenses of the house.

Zed takes breaks from traveling either for family visiting or because Mirrin has invited him to watch wingball matches. Mirrin has a break of his duties this way and now he has a friend to go with.

Gienne has threatened her husband with slip a sleeping drug on his food if he ever overworks again, which he secretly is grateful for since those make you sleep with no dreams and the memories start to catch up and now he can't vent those with violence...

Frank would haunt the couple anytime they have a fight. Mak would be trying to sleep in the couch and then he hears echoes of "I told you", "that's rough, buddy" or even laugh is it was something he considers funny. Also would haunt them randomly XD.

Zed accidentally found the Aethewards having a date on a restaurant and since none could pretend they didn't see each other they had to kidnapp Zed since Gienne knows he's awful lying to his memories about their location. It took time because Makkaro had to teach Gienne how to cast the spell, to the point Zed had an akward "visit" at their house for days and they had lots of catch up. (Zed: you know, it's weird, but it's still good to see you again, Kindra. Gienne: thank you, Zed, that is so nice, but we're still erasing your memories. Zed: ow.)

[goodboyaudios]

Describe MOTH poorly again but it's Makkaro and Gienne instead.

I'll do you one better and make it both.

Tiny man has a crush on God. Necromancer disagrees.

[goodboyaudios]

plsplspls yap about makkaro and gienne i love your works so much like seriously its insane how good you are at building these worlds and characters, now im hungry for the pookies

You want something about Makkaro and Gienne, eh? You know what, sure!

Makkaro was originally gonna be called Makkarth and he had a very different design too! I wasn't too sure what I was going to do with him until I decided to switch up MotH from being around Magnesia to being around Zed and Mak.

Gienne and Makkaro are inspired by Red Death from Venture Bros. And how he contrasts from being a terrifying villain to being one with his wholesome family life. I wanted to create a villain who was a similar threat, but also had a life, something he thought was worth protecting, worth fighting, killing and suffering for. Obviously, it wouldn't work just like Red Death for a number of reasons, but I didn't want to copy him. I think a did a pretty good job of it too!

[goodboyaudios]

So I was rewatching the "betraying your friends" ep from MOTH, and was wondering something...when Cataclysm offered power to Zed, what if he DID accept it? What would happen then?

I actually made a while AU about this on Discord so I'm happy to share it here!

I'm now calling it: BIRTH OF THE SECOND SUN In this timeline, Mirrin is killed by Mahann and Zed is humiliated by Mahann and Gienne. He does manage to snatch away the Demonomicon, but he is truly alone with no one to warn him or comfort him in any way. Without hesitation, he accepts Cataclysm's offer…

After accepting Cataclysm's gift for power, Zed becomes a sorcerer of Untempic and Faenic elements. He is now just as powerful as the guardian, but while the guardian has a balance on such energies, Zed does not. On top of that, the quick influx of power overwhelms him, forcing him to go crazy, but he doesn't become the next Anarchanist, he transcends it. He sees things beyond normal perception, witnesses events that may never happen, but always had, he decides to continue where his long deceased mother left off.

He teleports straight to Makkaro's house in a display of divine fury. Makkaro, realizing the power Zed has received, panics and flees to his castle, narrowly avoiding his death. He knows its only a matter of time before Zed finds him again. He summons forth the Snake Titan and prepares for battle. Both of them are connected in some way to Cataclysm and they both have similar goals, but while Makkaro wants to do it in the name of justice and revenge, Zed wants to do it to unify and prepare the Manasians for something that could spell the end of everything. Just as Makkaro has set up a few rudimentary defenses, Zed appears.

The battle is hard fought and the effects are felt across the world. The undead and vampires pose no threat to Zed and are instantaneously dealt with. The snake titan is the only edge Makkaro has over Zed as its body cannot be destroyed, nor can it even be penetrated by anything from Manas. Even the Guardian couldn't defeat it. So instead, Zed, being the little smarty-pants he is, uses his incredible power to create time magic out of thin air, and using it to reset Shee Khan into it's original form. It is now alive, containing its soul that was once trapped in the desert of Shee, and it is pissed off at Makkaro.

But Makkaro isn't a fool either. He wasn't sure if Shee Khan would be always willing to serve him, so he implanted magical runes within the body of Shee Khan to send it back to the desert if something were to go awry. The downside of this teleport is that it causes massive seismic and ecological damage to the ocean, creating chasms and sending tsunamis to the east and west. Now, its just Zed and Makkaro. Makkaro attempts to reason with Zed. He asks him what he wants, to which Zed responds, "To crush any opposition". Makkaro realizes that he has no choice now, but to fully submit himself to the demonic magic. In order to prevent this tyrant from rising, he must become what he was doomed to be. A Lich Anarchanist. After submitting to his dark power, the fight truly begins…

Raze, the Guardian, hasn't been able to be touched, because the magic that gets near her cell fizzles away to nothing. However, that doesn't stop the shockwaves from knocking the walls loose and allowing Raze to rescue Taurus. Upon reuniting and seeing Zed and Makkaro go at it like Dragonball characters, Raze intervenes. She realizes she can't kill either of them as Makkaro's lich form seems to be un-killable and Zed is using BS time magic. As she looks at the two fighting, she remembers the time she entered through the Lightmaster engines. She recognizes that these two, through their conflict have become a source of infinite power. They have become the sentient light.

While I'm still thinking about this, I'd like to say Raze also made Makkaro and Zed dream in the Second sun. In this dream, Zed and the guardian went on an adventure and ran into Detective Aetherward and Gienne on another case. While working together, Zed realizes that he just wanted a family and Makkaro and Gienne have talked about children. In this timeline, Makkaro and Gienne are safely together without threat from the family. And Zed's family isn't murdered, but just travels a lot and doesn't have as much time for him. Zed becomes adopted by Makkaro and Gienne and even becomes a big brother to their birth child. The Guardian watches over them as a close friend and even helps Zed reunite with his long lost family on occasion. But in the end, it's just a dream shared by two dying consciousnesses.

[goodboyaudios]

So, about Makkaro...he did experience a few(okay, many) traumatic things in his time at prison, so I was wondering if he ever developed a few triggers or trauma responses bcs of those times?

Hmm! Yes I suppose he does have a few triggers.

He'd get a panic attack in his sleep as closing his eyes in a room with no sound would bring back his time in the sensory deprivation tank.

The only time he wouldn't feel like this and he'd actually get some sleep would be if he was sleeping with someone. AKA, Gienne.

Also, there are spots on his body where he was electrified. Touching those spots, even now would trigger a neural response that would make him think he was being shocked again. This also adds into why he was so sensitive to touch.

Finally, one of the things that made him such a brutal villain was his trauma response to people begging. Seeing them like that makes him madder, more cruel. For if no one would come to his aid when he was begging, why would he care when they start begging?

This was fun to come up with! Thanks for the question!

[goodboyaudios]

Question about the listener, do you have a general idea what each listener's personality is for each series or do you have a unique personality for each one, and if so whats the personality for each one?

Thanks byeee :)

I do actually have unique personalities for each one! I'll go through each of them~

Kayne, listener from TQS, is quiet and reserved. Over time he'd become more outspoken as the series progressed.

Arkov, listener from SPS, is rather distant and emotionless as a defense mechanism to not get close to anyone, eventually learning to cope with emotions as she gets closer to Yargwynn.

Faith, listener in BW, is naive, but also kind with a strong sense of justice. She tries her best to do the right thing, but that isn't always clear to her.

Raze, Zed's listener in MotH, is quite stoic and curt. She takes herself very seriously and doesn't do well in emotional situations.

Gienne, Makkaro's listener in MotH, is a free spirit with an open heart, but she's also very highclass and is frightened by "riffraff"

Mimir/Pandora, the Fourseen listener, is an adventurous spirit who doesn't slow down, which is why they are so perplexed by how loved they feel by Tyr. They aren't against the feeling, they just find it to be nicer than they expected.

Karmor, the BvZ listener, is very on edge. He's quick to being emotional, he struggles to make friends and he's very defensive which leads to him being somewhat selfish.

Let me know if I missed any!