#maximus is good. no hes not. yes he is. hes dead now
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
brineffxiv · 2 years ago
Text
Tumblr media
Back at Camp Broken Glass, we inform the company of what has transpired, and they in turn inform us that we've manage to cure several of Maximus' allies of tempering. These fellow populares have been able to fill us in on exactly what's been happening here in Garlemald.
Tumblr media
Ah. The Ist is loyal to Varis. I wonder what they wanted, with Varis dead? Or did they just oppose Nerva taking the throne?
Tumblr media
Ooh! New name! Titus. Hrm. You make it sound like he's specifically a former political rival. Is he dead now or is he simply too old? He'd be Varis' Uncle, after all. Did Solus only have two kids, or were there more?
And, yo, that was the rumor we started. Is it gonna turn out that yes, we indeed did light the spark that burnt Garlemald to the ground?
I also find it telling that there was no faction fighting for Zenos to take the throne, despite him being the heir apparent. Poor bastard seriously didn't have anyone that liked him even for political reasons.
Tumblr media
Ah, so Elidibus' systematic disposal of Varis' political enemies didn't go quite as unnoticed as he let Varis believe. There was quite a political storm brewing in Garlemald before Varis died.
So those loyal to Varis claim the assassination was part of a coup as a means to contest Nerva's claim to the throne. Thus, the Ist and the IIIrd started a civil war.
Tumblr media
And into that mess poured the coffers of House Brutus, courtesy of "Asahi."
Tumblr media
After their tempering, the victims have no memories, save being ordered by Emperor Varis to construct the "Tower of Babil."
Tumblr media
Sensing something familiar, we present our friends with Licinia's radio, and fill them in about being told Varis spoke through it.
Tumblr media
Sorry, I don't get it.
Tumblr media
Oh come on. No. That's ridiculous.
*grumble grumble* Nidhana did all that work and... *grumble grumble*
*Sigh*
Okay, okay, the lore for that ore is... it's from Locus Amoenus? Which is what the Garleans renamed Corvus. Which is where G'raha is from, and used to be big important for the Allagans. Ah yes. Probably something to do with them, then.
Fine. I will accept this. It's more tragically compelling to have a handful of non-tempered Garleans around to provide points of view anyway, and that has to happen somehow. And this is really just a minor part of an otherwise very compelling plot. And it is good that this essentially happened by accident.
But I want the jury to know I think this explanation is stupid.
*mutters darkly*
Okay, it's not stupid. It's just... it's too coincidental for my suspension of disbelief to be happy with it. I'd be happier if it was the radio entirely that did it, like, it radiated protection while it was running or something. As opposed to the ore.
Regardless, I still don't get it. How does the radio acting like a warding scale explain them thinking they heard Varis talking to them through it?
Tumblr media
...Nope, still doesn't explain Varis.
Hrm. So. I theorized that the Telophoroi had somehow managed to turn the Empire itself into a primal. Like, the idea of the Empire, they summoned it.
So maybe... ? Since Varis was the last Emperor, that is part of how this primal manifests?
Tumblr media
Suddenly an inturption!
Tumblr media
This is Jullus. He was caught stealing supplies. He also does not believe we are here to help.
Tumblr media
Nice. Let him keep some dignity. That could help smooth things over with-
Tumblr media
Haha, nope.
Jullus will take no more than 3 people to meet with his commander. It's almost cute. He thinks he has the power here.
Tumblr media
And plus me makes 3. I am concerned about the twins' motivation here. Yes, we have seen firsthand the hardships that the Garleans are facing, but I worry that your sympathy for them will leave you vulnerable when we essentially walk in the front door of an active military base.
Tumblr media
LOL Jullus, oh, this should be fun.
28 notes · View notes
thehellishtrinity · 1 year ago
Note
I NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT THE TMA AU PLS AND THANK YOU
I got super into TMA just this year and this is a wild worlds collide moment
I’M SO GLAD YOU ASKED ANON! I got into TMA earlier this year too and was obsessed with it for a solid chunk of time. It’s so good FRFR
TMA AU lore under the cut!!!
Basically!! This is an AU where it’s like TMA right, The Magnus Institue is a thing that still exists with Jon and everything, but there is a rival institution called the Rex Institute in like. Wales. I think. I think it was in Wales but I also can’t quite remember.
This institute is run by a different set of people and Remy is the head archivist there! Unlike good ole Jon, Remy does not deny the existence of the supernatural and he knows all there is to know about the Entities. It’s just, well, you know. He’s Remy. He tends to think the people who come in to give statements are just wusses that make things seem way worse than they were and exaggerate the story. Basically he treats all statements and statement givers with the attitude of “🙄 it couldn’t have been that bad, jesus.”
The rest of the trinity are different people who’ve been touched by different Entities! They’ve all come in to give a statement to Remy before.
Maximus is Stranger aligned but not by his own volition. When he was in college he met a man named Vincent and they really hit it off! One night, after things got ✨romantic��� and all, Vincent asks Max if he wanted to be with him and of course Max said yes! But the next day when he woke up, Vincent was gone. And soon Max discovered, well, Vincent is just always with him now ☺️
How Maximus and Vincent work is basically! If no one is looking directly at Max, he becomes Vincent. And Vincent likes to cause problems! He likes to knock things over, break things, and most of all kill people :). If you turn your back to him for too long he can and will kill you! If you turn your back to Max and stealthy watch his reflection then you’ll get to see Vincent move about. If you’re unlucky, Vincent will notice and greet you :).
When Vincent is out and about, Max’s entire existence is just paused. He doesn’t really experience what Vincent does because Vincent is a separate entity that does his own thing. When someone looks at Max and Max becomes himself again, it’s like no time passed at all for him he doesn’t even know that anything happened between the two glances. He can remember what Vincent did only as hazy dreams— nothing as concrete as an actual memory. Max only started to figure out something was wrong because he would literally be doing something and then all of the sudden he’d be surrounded by blood and dead bodies. Max is also chronically sleep derived because he only exists when people look at him and yknow, people aren’t really looking at him while he’s home alone so he never gets substantial sleep.
Other interesting people include: The Hierophant! She is called The Sheep here and she is an avatar of the Dark. She’s not quite human anymore… looks like a weird sheep human hybrid and all. She traps people in dreams and forces them through different death loops until they actually die!
Script and Page don’t quite have defined role yet but Script is aligned with the Spiral and Page is aligned with the Lonely!
6 notes · View notes
masonxmahir · 2 years ago
Text
"Dude probably works out a lot," he replied with a shrug, but leaning in closer Mason desperately tried to hold back laughter when he swiped to the next photo, "And here's further proof, see. No wonder it's called gluteus maximus, damn, it sure is max." Despite the broadness of the smile, Mason ducked their head a little at the compliment, "Awh shucks, you're too nice, but thank you I aspire to always have good vibes. And yes, absolutely one hundred percent yes, you're my first mate!" he beamed back, now all he had to do was acquire a candy boat. "Definitely, I grew up to teachings of every living thing having a soul, human or otherwise, so respect should be given to all things. Sure, yeah dead bodies get a certain reaction, but it's like you said, they're still a person."
Pure relief was visible when Rangi confirmed, "Oh thank lord," he sighed, "Had to check, because I really cannot give the 'welcome to the supernatural world' talk, I'd be hopeless. But this is even cooler, we both have magic!"
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Rangi leaned over when invited and glanced at the picture on their phone, covering her mouth in a snort when she saw the statue. "Why does he have abs?" she chortled, shaking her head. "I mean, I think you have a lot of energy to put out into the world, but that's not a bad thing. It's a good vibe. It's nice. And if you do use that wish for a candy boat, I call first mate." She gave a big grin back to them. "Usually people get off put by the whole-- dead body thing, but, I mean, they're still a person, you know? The dead deserve as much respect as the living. And the undead." It was just how she felt, and she'd grown up with a respect for those who have passed on thanks to the teachings of her ancestry. It was her way to honor that, to honor them. To honor herself.
Rangi let out another chuckle. "Yes, yes, I know what magic is, don't worry," she said, before pointing to herself, "I'm a fae, after all. Would be a little weird if I didn't believe in magic."
Tumblr media
52 notes · View notes
maximusboltaqon · 2 years ago
Text
doti ignoring like everything set up in the comics right before it is infuriating but it's also kind of funny. gorgon is lost in space! just kidding, he figured it out. medusa and blackagar have an incredibly complicated and estranged relationship! no just kidding again, they solved it and are together again. triton is out doing... selfcare? well he's back too and everyone is completely chill with him!
maximus is literally left alone and seemingly is in charge of the city. he faces absolutely none of the repercussions medusa promised in royals. did blackagar just ground him for a week or something? did everyone just kind of let it go?
5 notes · View notes
yakumtsaki · 2 years ago
Photo
Tumblr media
Boy does this update have everything: births, deaths, birthdays, murder attempts. Of course when Dagmar Bertino shows up I just know things are about to go to shit, walking bad omen.
-Alright, cough up the goods, blondie! Did I say that right, Valentina? -Yes, you’re doing great, now bite her ankle! -You said this wouldn’t be violent! -I also said this relationship wouldn’t work if you remained a timid flop!
Tumblr media
-Oh Sandy, I don’t know what to do, Valentina and I are just too different.. I like walks in the park.. She likes organized crime.. -O̵H̵ B̸O̶O̸H̵O̸O, A̵T L̸E̴A̶S̷T Y̵O̸U̷'̵R̶E N̴O̵T A̷ Z̴O̷M̵B̶I̶E D̶O̵G WA̵S̵H̴E̴R🧟
Tumblr media
The lovely Valentina takes a break from beating up the cats to give birth, now I want to remind you guys that I specifically picked Moody so he would tone down the aggressiveness of our dogs because the pet fights are out of control-
Tumblr media
-and this is what he gave me on ALL THREE OF THE PUPPIES. So basically the only thing that changed is that they’re doofuses and pigpens now but still aggro, amazing!
Tumblr media
Well they’re still cute, welcome to the household Servilia, Maximus, and Calpurnia❤️
Tumblr media
I have so many slightly different photos of this exact situation that I’m constantly getting deja vu like ‘didn’t I already post this??’
Tumblr media
UGH, ENOUGH. While I’m needlessly documenting this bullshit..
Tumblr media
..Alcibiades dies💔 I hate how abrupt pet deaths are in this game, you don’t even get an event window and I keep missing them without saying goodbye!!!
Tumblr media
RIP Alcibiades, you were such a good, chill boi who singlehandedly saved our cat legacy by being the feline suitor to finally manage to knock up D’vorah. I’ll miss you, baby.
Tumblr media
Of course no death is tragic enough to stop certain robosexuals for engaging in ungodly activities. How many times do you have to be caught cheating in one day till you’re finally satisfied, Cyneswith???
Tumblr media
Shajar returns from work and brings Hot Downtownie with her, but HD only has eyes for Sophie.
HD: Boy, I cant wait to meet Sophie :) Sophie: Boy, I can’t wait to have some toxic interaction with Shajar :)
Tumblr media
The kittos are here, four of them too, damn, Dobronega!
-Go big or go home.
I can’t @ all of them having your eye scar too, iconic. Now as you probably recall because I just mentioned it yesterday, my goal with the cats was the opposite than the dog one aka I wanted to make them more aggro because the dogs are bullying the hell out of them. Let’s see how we did..
Tumblr media
FINALLY SOMEONE AROUND HERE UNDERSTOOD THEIR ASSIGNMENT, TY DOBRIE. At last I can give the cats Mortal Kombat names and they will actually fit them, so here we have Kitana, Mileena, Ermac, and Scorpion, welcome bbs!
Tumblr media
It could be possible we have too many pets now, but as long as we’re not flashing pink I’m gonna be in denial about the lag.
Tumblr media
-Hey Sands, whatchu doing?🌸 -S̴K̴ILLI̴N̶G̶ F̶O̵R M̶YJO̷B. E̴VE̵R H̶EAR̴D O̴F T̷H̵O̷S̶E̴?🧟
RUDE. Cyneswith might not have a job but she performs many valuable tasks around the house, such as.. uh.. oh I got it:
Tumblr media
SETTING A FIRE IN THE KITCHEN WHILE iVAN RUNS AMOK-
Tumblr media
-AND TRIES TO KILL HER. 
Legit I don’t even know how to comment on this one, it’s already been established that when I go too long without taking Cyn out to lover-hunt she starts setting fires, but iVan electrocuting her?? I guess he was like ‘I brought you back into this world and I can take you right out of it.’
Tumblr media
It’s another carefree night of swimming until 5am for Sugar..
Tumblr media
..while Jojo fixes iVan’s crazy ass. Jo I don’t know how to tell you this, but when you die it might be time for iVan to.. you know, go live in a big robot farm. Called a junkyard. 
-WHAT?! Don’t even think about it, he’s my biggest scientific achievement!
Your biggest scientific achievement breaks down 3 times a day, who the fuck is gonna be fixing him once you’re dead??
-I’ll commute from Hell!
Tumblr media
Sophie returns from work, gets promoted for the third time in a row, and Shajar RUNS TO HUG HER. Do I dare even ask what on earth is going on now?
-Nothing to be alarmed about, dumbass, we made up! -Yes, I apologized for suggesting a zombie threesome.. -And I in turn apologized for being a perfect mother and wife. 
Really Soph, that’s what you apologized for?
-Adopt a different tone if you want to address me.  -Haha, get her babe!
Alright then, so clearly Sophie climbing up the corporate ladder is gonna be UNBEARABLE, but at least you two are happy.
Tumblr media
Look who else is making up, man, what a day of love!
-Oh mommy, after my one-sided mortal enemy Alcibiades’ death I’ve been thinking, I’m so sorry I beat you up, you know how sometimes I have a little bit of a rage problem! -Aw it’s ok, sweetheart, I forgive you!
Tumblr media
*1 minute later*
-FUCK YOU MOM, DON’T TELL ME HOW TO RUN MY LIFE
Uh, Valentina, now might not be the best time to argue with your mother..
Tumblr media
-MOMMY NOOOOOOOOOOOOO -It’s alright, Valie, I will always be with you in spirit, but thankfully not in the flesh because I could tell you were gonna saddle me with the babysitting, so this is perfect timing!
Tumblr media
ABBEY MY BELOVED CHONK. You were such a chadette, I’ll never forget how you attacked the wolf and crushed Jojo’s stupid werewolf dreams, absolutely hilarious. RIP queen💔
Tumblr media
I barely have time to process Abbey’s loss when I am struck by a different tragedy: having to throw a Union birthday party. Mercifully no one except Wulf showed up, Daniel and Gunther decided they’ve suffered enough.
Alright Sugar, blow out those candles and let’s see the extent of that Don Oates genetic catastrophe.
-Don’t I get to make a wish first??
The only wish you should be making with those grades is wishing to graduate elementary school.
Tumblr media
OK. That’s not so bad right??? I can definitely see some Cyn in there!
Tumblr media
But the nose is ALL Don, thanks so much bro! 
It’s time to roll for an aspiration and truly, I can’t even react anymore:
Tumblr media
IS MY DIGITAL DIE FUCKING STUCK ON 6?!?! Like seriously is this gonna happen every goddamn generation??? Don’t even get me started on his incelitude-ensuring chemistry panel, any sims out there that are ripped but don’t work out, I have your soulmate right here. Literally we’re never gonna find anyone who has more than 1 bolt with this freak.
Tumblr media
Let’s move on to Sophito who all my hopes are riding on. Don’t let me down, my little genius, roll knowledge and pursue your destiny!
-There comes a time in every person’s life where they stop and think.. ‘Am I living my life for others..’
Tumblr media
-’or for myself’??
WELL CLEARLY IT’S THE LATTER IN YOUR CASE. So not only does Sophito pick my least favorite aspiration, but he decides to out-ridiculous Sugar in the chemistry department: Are you a chess grandmaster who lives in their parent’s basement? Then Sophito is here for you, but don’t even THINK of coming near him if you have ANY charisma. Good lord, his perfect spouse is literally Chester Gieke. 
Tumblr media
Predictably he grew up cute, but truly it’s such a small comfort. Now we wait for the LTWs to show up..
Tumblr media
Look at Shajar interacting with her kid, you’re a real family woman today aren’t you?
Tumblr media
Wulf, did you only attend this party to harass our pets?
-Of course not, I care deeply about Sophio and Sagar! 
Yea I’m starting to ‘care deeply’ as well after seeing those aspirations, ok the LTWs are in:
Tumblr media
HAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
SUGAR EVEN FOR YOU THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I can’t even really make fun of it, the simple IDEA of you in the army kills me, and I’m sure it will kill you too via friendly fire. We move on to Sophito, let’s see what horrors await us there..  
Tumblr media
GOOD LORD WHY. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU. 
-I told you, I’m gonna live life for myself from now on!
Yea, for yourself and 50 other people apparently! You know, you didn’t even have to go through all this trouble, you could have just stabbed me in the heart instead.
Tumblr media
-Boy do I look MAGNIFICENT OR WHAT. Those cheekbones!!! 
God help me. So this is a hairstyle I associate with Jean Ralphio from Parks and Rec, and thus I was saving it for like a true HIMBO, I just never in a million years thought the ‘true himbo’ would be my ‘little genius’. 
Tumblr media
-Don’t listen to her, son, being a genius fuckboi is the best of both worlds! Now lets shittalk your mother. 
Tumblr media
Birthdays all around as Valentina’s puppies grow up! This is Servilia..
Tumblr media
..Maximus..
Tumblr media
..and Calpurnia! Max and Calp look HILARIOUS and normally I’d make one of them the dog heir so we could have fun genetic experiments, but I’m very emo about Abbey dying so we’re keeping Abbey-clone Servillia. Her siblings will go off to have a (clearly much better) life with Wulf and Angel.
Tumblr media
Back to human bs, I can’t express to you guys how much trouble I’m having adjusting to New Sophito, aka Nuphito. Like the above is what he does literally ALL DAY LONG.
Tumblr media
Oh, sorry, he also spends 8 hours a day in the hot tub. Remember when you used to autonomously play chess all day??
-Isn’t my logic skill already maxed?
Yes but-
-Am I not the most functional person in this house?
Sure-
-Then wouldn’t your time be better spent preventing some massive disaster instead of worrying about my hot tub time?
I don’t like you, I don’t like you at all, Nuphito!!!
Tumblr media
Sandy gets demoted, gets home, and starts immediately fighting Sophie (whose face has once again glitched in that creepy perma-smile).
-I̴ WIS̶H A̸N E̷T̴E̵R̷N̴A̴L, ̵I̶NE̴S̵C̶EP̵AB̶LE W̶I̶N̵T̶E̴R O̷N̴ YO̵U🧟 -You talking to me, wormy? Have you lost your rotting brain?
Tumblr media
Then Cyneswith shows up from the other side to admire Sophie, trapping her in a positive interaction/negative interaction loop:
-Congratulations on your amazing career progress, Sophie, you’re so smart, huhu!💗 -Aw, thanks-
Tumblr media
-A̷R̶E Y̵O̴U SM̸A̵R̸T E̴N̴O̶UG̸H T̸O GIV̵E Y̸O̶U̷R̸S̴E̷L̵F A̶ N̷OS̶EJ̶O̵B̵, H̷A̷HA🧟 -WHAT THE FUCK YOU BROKE MY NOSE YOU BLOATED CARCASS, I WILL KILL-  
Tumblr media
-Before you kill her, Soph, let’s do our school cheer! Voooooo gerbits, huhu!🌸 -Oh, fun!
Tumblr media
-What a crazy day, my head is still spinning.. Literally, it’s still glitched. Thankfully nothing that sleeping next to my father in law won’t fix.. 
Yea you do you, Soph!
Tumblr media
Guess who became best friends with her only child after 15 years? Mom of the year, Shajar Union!
Tumblr media
In case you were wondering, this creepy shit is still going on, I swear I’m already seeing adult Sophito’s Sandy-filled want panel, and by ‘seeing it’ I mean in my nightmares.
Tumblr media
Speaking of nightmares, I figured Sugar is gonna need all the help he can get so I got him a teen job in the army, and this is the ensemble he’s gonna present himself in. Man, you really have a rough life ahead of you. And now, for the horrible part..
Tumblr media
WYATT NO💔💔💔💔💔 Goddamn Sophie, she’s like one of those hospital cats that go sleep next to patients who are about to die. 
-WYAT UNION, NEE MONIF, YOUR TIME- can you move a bit so I can pass? -Oui! -Thanks bro. WYATT UNION, YOUR TIME HAS COME -Quel?? Whò est toi?? -I AM DEATH
Tumblr media
-Dethe?? Je ne ûndérstàndòix. -Oh man. Hula zombs, any of you speak French? -Tell him he is ‘mort’. -YOU ARE MORT 
Tumblr media
-Hiiii everyone, have a blessed day!
FFS BUTLER #4, MAYBE OPEN YOUR EYES AS YOU ENTER A ROOM
Tumblr media
-Oòòòòh, mòrt! -YES. HEAVEN- I MEAN, LE PARADIS, AWAITS YOU -Tres bien, huhu! Au revoir évéryoné, je t'aime Jòjò, non be sadoix! 
Tumblr media
When I tell you guys I teared up for real. What to even say about my French-Arabian prince; he came into this legacy a randomly generated dormie with great hair and a Jojo obsession, and leaves with great hair, a Jojo obsession, and my heart. He was such a delightful presence and gave us so many great moments when he wasn’t asleep. RIP mon bebe❤️
Tumblr media
Our Wyatt was always a giving soul and left money to absolutely everyone..
Tumblr media
..like I’m looking around the house and EVEN iVAN has the inheritance memory..
Tumblr media
..BUT DON DOES NOT LMAO. I CAN’T. Thanks for that final laugh, Wyatt❤️
91 notes · View notes
emperor-kumquat · 3 years ago
Text
♡ Loving Overlord ♡
~Pre-deployment Overlord and his good relationship with his lieutenants~
Tumblr media
Overlord has twin lieutenants who are extremely loyal to him. What was that background stuff that explains why they love Overlord so much?
First off, know that the strongest scene showing how far they will go is a dead end where you try to torture Leozack into betraying Overlord. It is a graphic, disgusting, and uncomfortable scene because you desperately try hurting Leozack, but it just doesn’t work. 
https://archiveofourown.org/works/34116382/chapters/86154733
But it reveals some hidden info: Leozack considers Overlord as a friend and family member. He cares so much that he will die before spilling the secret that would endanger Overlord’s and Trepan’s lives.
Tumblr media
Your introduction to Leozack and Lyzack is that they and Trepan are suspiciously close to Overlord. It is suggested that they might be experimenting on Overlord to control and use him like a puppet. 
Tumblr media
Overlord is different now, so clearly something happened to him. You are told that Overlord had an unexpected personality change, and no one knows why he is so cold and frightening now. 
Tumblr media
But then it starts coming out that these two care about Overlord. People tell you that the twins handle those who try to assassinate Overlord. Lyzack is feared as someone who will kill you without hesitation if you try to hurt/kill Overlord. 
Hellbat tells you as well some things Leozack said:
Tumblr media
Leozack speaks highly of Overlord no matter if you’re trying to torture him or coax him into leaking info. Part of what Leozack will say includes:
1. Maximus being the villain in their eyes
2. Overlord risking his life in the ununtrium experiment
3. Overlord suffering for everyone (but Leozack does not say in what way)
Maximus is the reason why Leozack and Lyzack grew so protective of Overlord. This is the background info describing the War on Elba:
-Overlord arrives to the planet first. It is possible he wanted to have the twin Seeker captains because Overlord’s splitting spark makes him like a twin to himself. On Elba, the Decepticons find colonist survivors and work with them. Overlord makes the Institute their base and they cover the building with laser cannons
Tumblr media
-When the Autobots learn it’s Overlord on Elba, they deploy Fortress Maximus
Tumblr media
Overlord has deep issues with Maximus and revealed them to Leozack and Lyzack. Overlord briefly talks about hating Guildmasters and how Maximus arrested him in the past. They feel very bad for Overlord, and this is why the twins can talk about this information. However, Overlord never tells them about what happened in his life before he took the name “Overlord”. He only tells Trepan this because he’s very uncomfortable about it.
Tumblr media
But that’s because of Overlord’s doctor bias, which we can talk about another time.
What is important is that Overlord really cares about his lieutenants, and they care about him too. Yes, Overlord’s actions were often to please Megatron, but he treated the twins quite well. I wanted to portray this in Leozack’s memory of Overlord before the ununtrium experiment. Overlord has always been presented as massive and terrifying, but when he talks to his lieutenants, he kneels down to get closer to them. He opens up his body, he talks quietly, he allows them to see he is afraid, and he tries to keep them from being scared for him when he suggests sacrificing himself.
Tumblr media
True Overlord is only shown in the final chapter. It’s a whole journey ♡ ♡
46 notes · View notes
darknessisafriend · 3 years ago
Text
If only Rome knew how much you sacrificed for them -Commodus x Reader Chapter 2
(This fic was strongly inspired by the fanart of an artist Kalizofanni-art) on instagram) After the final fight against Maximus in the Colosseum, you find Commodus’ body among the corpses of those dead in the arena, he had been carelessly tossed there as if he was no one. He is alive, barely, you decide to save him. But what will happen if he survives? Will he claim back the throne? Part 1 here
Tumblr media
You didn’t sleep that night, not until very late, you preferred to watch over the fallen emperor, praying and putting a cool wet cloth on his sweaty forehead, giving him water to drink when he needed. And to be honest, you were growing worried about your future, would you be able to put him back on the throne? You were a nobody, you had no power, you knew no one in the high spheres of the Empire; those thoughts were starting to give you a headache, you sighed, looking at the window as the first lights of the day started to appear, Commodus was still soundly sleeping, it left you time to go get something to eat for breakfast. Quietly, you left your room, meeting Attia in the kitchen, already cooking.
“I’ll help you.” You said, putting the dates in a bowl, slightly coating them with honey.
“You have a really miserable face today…did you stay up all night?” She asked as she cooked.
You nodded with a sigh “Yes, I had to make sure he would go through the night…”
“And yet you insisted he was just a friend…” she teased you playfully.
“He is. It’s just that he is very important and not just for me, but I can’t tell you yet, it is a life and death matter.”
“If you say so, we don’t want trouble, so we’ll do as if your guy wasn’t there.” She agreed, “But promise me you won’t bring problems to our door?” she still asked, you were being very mysterious about this man.
“No I won’t, nobody knows he’s here, nobody even knows he’s alive.” you replied, trying not to give her too much of a hint “Okay, I’ll go back in my room to eat with him. I will bring you all grain tonight.” If that distribution was maintained, for that you really feared. You took a smaller bowl of dates and your big slice of bread; you didn’t have enough for two slices. You headed back inside the bedroom, the man was moving, slowly waking up from his very long sleep, he opened his eyes, so what happened yesterday wasn’t a dream…he heard someone enter, you, the girl who had saved his life.
“Good morning, your highness.” You saluted him, bowing your head at him and approached, sitting on a stool next to the bed “I hope you are hungry; you have to eat to recover.” He nodded and tried to sit but winced. “Oh here, let me help you…” you put the food aside and gently lifted him to put an extra pillow behind him.
“Thank you, Y/N.” he said, his first words of the day, and you gladly welcomed them. To say he was hungry was an understatement, the second you put the food in front of him, he took it all, eagerly eating “What is next for breakfast?” he asked, his mouth full of the honey dates, it wasn’t the tastiest but it was still good.
“I’m sorry but it is all that I have…” you answered embarrassed, yes that’s the only thing you could offer him.
“All?” he looked at you, you looked hungry, why weren’t you eating? “Where is your food Y/N?” he asked inquisitively.
“You have eaten it your highness, unfortunately today we don’t have enough food for one more person.” He looked at the piece of bread left in his hand, what a damn idiot he was, he wasn’t in the palace, his people could barely eat!
“My apologies…I have been foolish. Here take it, I will make myself forgiven, my lady.” You blushed, it was the first time he called you as such, with respect, it was very flattering. “I need my healer and savior to be in shape.” He added with the shadow of a smile.
“Thank you.” You blushed and took the piece of bread from his hands, your fingers brushing against his, it made you blush even more, touching the hand of an Emperor…and he was very handsome now that you took time to detail him. You quickly looked away as he caught you staring and quietly ate your bread.
“Why are you looking at me so much?” he asked, almost on the defensive, did you pity him?
“It’s not everyday that I get the chance to be so close to the reincarnation of Hercules.” you answered shyly.
“Are you not disappointed by my sight?” he pushed, thinking he might have looked so weak for an emperor.
“Not at all, your Highness. I am quite amazed actually…but I will say no more, I wouldn’t want to offend.”
You felt his fingers gently sizing your chin, yet you could feel he could hurt you if he wanted “Tell me.” He ordered you.
“The rumors were true, you trained like a gladiator, you are of very strong constitution, like Hercules. You held the sword and yet your hands are immaculate, and soft…and you have a beautiful face that could make Apollo himself jealous ....” You told him, hoping he wouldn’t be offended by your indecency. Commodus found himself taken aback, he could see when people lied to him and you seemed honest, not answering out of fear or to flatter his ego; he huffed, he was just pleased, it was amazing how so little could warm his heart, and it made him realize how much he craved to be complimented or even to receive affection.
“The Emperor cannot allow himself to be weak, he has to be ready to defend his own people by his own hand. As for my beauty…I can only say that if I am as beautiful as you say I should go make an offering to Venus to thank her for such a gift.” He smiled, and you looked at him as you ate, he had a beautiful smile, charming and yet boyish. You and the fallen Emperor looked at each other in the eyes, for too long perhaps, why? You didn’t know, somehow it felt nice, until you started to feel your face getting red again, he retained a chuckle, you were quite adorable.
“Tell me, my lady. When do you think I should be able to stand?” he changed the subject, getting a little flustered perhaps.
“Oh well I think you could stand right now but you wouldn’t need much effort to faint. You lost a lot of blood; you need to eat well and rest to recover better for at least three to four days. And then I will free you from this house.” You smiled, almost affectionately.
“I don’t have to complain about your treatments so those few days will probably be a pleasure. Not every man has the luck to be taken care of by such a lovely woman.” He complimented you and you swore you turned as red as the flag of the Empire, he wasn’t any man, and once again he was of a rare beauty.
“You honor me, your highness.” You bowed you head at him, internally freaking out. You didn’t know how to act around this man, you respected him, sincerely; but he was so different from what most people said about him, he was kinder, more charming, friendly and gentle. Perhaps the only thing that seemed true to the rumors was a childish spirit, he had a mischievous glow in his eyes and a boyish smile. And he was attracting you…no, you had to keep that for yourself, control your feelings! He was an Emperor of pure blood! You were nothing, you didn’t stand a chance except perhaps for carnal pleasure like a whore…but you would never lower yourself to such thing, you would keep yourself for your future husband, not by tradition but romantism. You pushed yourself out of your thoughts, you shouldn’t be thinking about this man in such interested way. “I am afraid I will have to leave you for a few hours, I have objects to sell, grain to get for the household and I would like to go to the news at the forum and see if I can answer any of your interrogations…who took power, what is going to happen…” you listed, determined. You saw the young man nod in approval.
“I would appreciate it. I am anxious to know what is going on. And what is said about me…” he admitted, briefly looking down, he seemed truly afraid to be rejected and hated. You instantly got up, eager to serve him, you bowed at him once again and were about to head for the door.
“Wait. I have a question…this seems to be your bedroom, if I slept in your bed and I thank you for that; where did you sleep? Did you stay on that stool? on the floor?” he was genuinely worried, he had been raised as a gentleman and he would hate to force a young beautiful lady to sleep on the floor because of him. But you didn’t understand it that way, you thought would get angry if he knew the truth.
“My apologies, your Highness. I laid in the bed by your side…you were unconscious, and I thought I could…I won’t happen ag-…”
“Oh good and it shall remain that way, I would never make an attempt on your virtue and I am convinced you would do the same.” You looked at him dumfounded, was he suggesting that you kept sleeping by his side even when he was fully conscious?
You swallowed down “Very well your Highness, it will be done so.” You agreed and he nodded, almost bowing his head at you, meaning that now you could leave for your day. “If you have any problem, call loudly, Attia is here all day along, she is the mother of a family who shares this house with me. She will bring you lunch, and I shall see you again this evening.” You informed him as you left, taking all that you needed for your day of labor and errands.
You had barely met this man, and you didn’t know him and yet as you went on your day, he never left your thoughts, you were intrigued and getting attached, something you had never allowed yourself to do before…as you sold the different items you had found the day before, you regretfully sold his armor, unfortunately it was too obvious to be kept but you didn’t sell his rings, they were worth a fortune but…you couldn’t do it for an unknown reason and instead you kept them securely around your neck on a necklace you had since you were a child, maybe you would give it back to him. Soon came the moment you had been waiting for, grain distribution, you were a bit late and hundreds of people were already gathered, the plague had increased the famine. Thanks to your small size you managed to go to the front, pretty much unnoticed, opening your jar to fill it, you hoped to get as much as possible, you and the family of Attia needed to eat, at least bread. Soon, the crowd went silent, eagerly waiting for the grain to be distributed, there was an atmosphere of fear all around, the stomach of the People of Rome were grumbling and soon they would be filled with rage…
A man finally came, escorted by guards, he wasn’t just there to give grain, he had an announcement to make. “People of Rome! The delivery of grain to Rome is not guaranteed anymore, for this reason, we have to preserve what we have in case of rough times! Grain will now on be distributed once a week!” he announced and instantly was followed by the angry screams of the crown, everyone was already hungry, how could you survive with even less! The senators and nobles never had to suffer hunger, they even vomited to eat more like Saturn swallowing everything on its way to destruction. As expected people started fighting when they distributed the grain, trying to get more, and to your regret you had to fight too, but this was survival, you had to; as soon as your jar was filled you ran out of the angry crowd, quickly heading to the forum, the atmosphere in Rome in the coming weeks as going to be chaotic again, it had been so peaceful under both Marcus Aurelius and Commodus, and to think he was alive…could he slay his opponents and take back the throne? Save you all? Maybe…
“Listen all! Announcement from the Senate! Announcement from the Senate!” said a man who told the news as always, you had never seen so many people gathered around him. You approached, already anxious about what he was going to say “The Senate declares: By the pathetic show he gave in the Colosseum, Commodus has proven himself a coward and shameful heir of the great Marcus Aurelius! He was also a murderer who attacked the real heir chosen by his father, the great General Maximus, dead as a hero! Maximus will be given grandiose funerals like he deserves.” started the man, everyone was silent, yes the show in the arena had been very entertaining but no one had expected the Emperor to die, and many were happy of his reign unlike the elite of that city. “The sister of Commodus, Lucilla is in this instant making sure the powers are fully transferred to the Senate, Rome is to become a Republic again!” he added and earned unhappy noises from the crowd, to the people it meant chaos, the Senate serving itself, privileges and more poverty “For all the harm Commodus has caused, the Senate has declared Damnatio Memoriae over Commodus, his name will be erased from public records and monuments and his statues destroyed!” to this people gasped in surprise.
“Bullshit! I have fed my family better under his reign!” screamed a man angrily.
“He brought peace with our enemies and secured our Empire!” said another, he was treated like Nero but he wasn’t that monster! He was the worthy heir of Marcus Aurelius! More people chanted in protest and you clenched your jaw, furious as well, he didn’t deserve to be treated that way, it was obvious the Senate didn’t like Commodus and did everything possible to ruin his memory. This wasn’t going to end well, a revolt as you thought since the beginning. You shook your head, you hated this city more and more, you were even feeling sick of staying at the forum, you just wanted to go home, to him, Commodus had no power anymore and yet, the idea to be by his side comforted you.
You had probably never walked so fast, feeling the tension, anger and worry grow in the streets. You were starting to think it was better for you to leave Rome, perhaps try to get a quiet life far from this mess…soon you reached your home again, you could hear a few giggles, it seems at least the children were having a good time.
“And I showed him my sword and told him that if he disrespected me again, he shall embrace someone dying of the Plague.” You heard the voice of Commodus say, making the children laugh again.
“Yes! Mom, later I will teach respect like Aelius does!” said Titus enthusiastic, Aelius? It seemed to be the name Commodus had chosen to protect his identity. As you entered you noticed the children sitting on the bed with him, Commodus was happily smiling, he seemed to love children and Attia appreciated that he entertained them better than her own husband.
“Good evening Y/N, how was your day?” asked Attia as soon as she noticed you. You approached and gave her the jar of grain and also some fruits and a cheese you had bought with the money you got from the items you sold. “Oh that’s perfect to eat with the fish Albus brought.”
You sighed with a sad smile “Tough day, and I fear tomorrow will be too…how is Aelius?” you asked, not wanting to tell her the details yet.
“Doing well, he is a big guy and he talks in a funny way, like a noble! You got yourself a very charming man!” she smiled at Commodus who chuckled, this woman truly thought they were lovers.
“Attia!” you turned red, looking at the man, sorry for her words.
“You flatter me Attia. I would be honored if Y/N gave me such compliments.” He smiled charmingly, making you widen your eyes, really!? Could he be a charmer too!?
“Huh…can I talk to you Aelius? privately?” you retained a stutter, trying to keep your face impassive, it felt strange to talk to him as if he was a friend. He nodded, keeping on playing his role as Attia took her children away and left the room, closing the door behind you both. You took a deep breath and approached, coming to sit on the stool next to the bed.
“So, tell me everything. You don’t seem to bear good news.” He stated, coming back to seriousness, of course it couldn’t be good news, but he feared how bad they could be.
“The free grain distribution is going to be only once a week from now on…” you sighed and at those words he clicked his tongue in disapproval, his index lightly brushing on his lower lip as he thought about the reason for that decision.
“My ‘death’ and the new person to power must displease the governors and maybe even generals. They don’t trust the new person in charge so they retain the grain supply…I had a lot of support from our provinces and maybe even some would like to take the place as Emperor.” He stated and you had to agree, it actually made sense, you had heard the loyalty of the provinces was often tied to the Emperor himself and not the Empire or some other reason. “That would be a good argument for my return. What else?” he asked then, he was hoping to take back power, but it wouldn’t be so easy.
“Well…I feel very uncomfortable to tell you this but this is what they said at the forum: they publicly insulted you, saying you never were an Emperor and…” you took a deep breath, you hated to tell him such thing “They declared Damnatio memoriae on you, your Highness.” You told him, looking down in respect before looking at him to see his reaction. He was looking in front of him, in emptiness, his jaw clenched, his lower lip trembling and his eyes wet, it was a shock for him, he had done a terrible thing but he had been a good Emperor! Once again, his hopes and dreams were crushed, the Senate wanted to erase him from History, but he was going to make sure History remembers him.
“Highness?” you called him, starting to get worried.
“I am no Highness anymore, haven’t you listened?” he replied harshly, it wasn’t against you but right now he didn’t feel well at all, his heart was racing, he felt like exploding, screaming his rage to the world. “Leave. Leave me alone now!” he ordered, almost yelling at you under the emotion, making instantly jump from the stool, you understood he needed time alone, he was terrifying in that state so you hurried outside of your bedroom, closing the door behind you and leaning against it, you didn’t know what to do, the truth was violent and maybe it could never be repaired.
Suddenly, you were pushed out of your thoughts by noises from inside the bedroom, at first you didn’t know what it was until you recognized whimpers and sobbing…Commodus was crying, his heart terribly hurt. No matter how hard he tried, there was always someone to break him more. Somehow, even if you didn’t personally know that man, you felt he had a deep wound in his soul, you felt him lonely, abandoned and you couldn’t leave him like that, so you decided to face his possible wrath and enter to bring him a bit of comfort. You quietly approached as Commodus completely ignored you, perhaps too lost in his tormenting emotions, curved into a ball and hugging himself. Slowly, you placed your hand on his shoulder, showing him he wasn’t alone in that hard moment; to your surprise, he reached out to your hand, but his grip quickly got stronger and before you could react he was pulling you to him, making you fall on the bed, you gasped in surprise, but soon calmed down as he wrapped his arms around you to hug you.
“Oh Commodus…” you couldn’t help but call him by his name, you were starting to understand how much he needed that sort of gesture; so you wrapped your arms around him, gently rubbing his back and pressing him against your chest, then caressing his dark hair. You could have feared he would get mad at you for being so intimate with him but clearly he wanted your comfort.
“Please don’t stop...please…” he whimpered, nuzzling against your breast, his hands clinging to your tunic.
“By the gods Commodus...what have they done to you?” you murmured sadly, this wasn’t a man child, was a man who had been broken since his childhood.
Commodus Harem:
@lyoongx @weirdflecksbutok @skaravile @niniitah-ah @stardancerluv @sgtsavoytruffle @charlie-sisters @ohcarlesmycarles @rajacero @hopelessdisasterr @stellargirlie @rosebloodstuffandthangss @clowndaddyfleck @jaylovesbats @dreamingmaria @sagyunaro @just-a-fucking-comedy @spaceinvader @radio-hoo-ha​ @lady-carnivals-stuff​ @sierraclegane​ @legojorny​ @lemondedeniname​ @hvproductions​ @syvellsworld​ @papercut-paranoia​ @jokerflecker​ @beautifulyoungprospect​ @bring-your-holy-water @winterjasmine007/ five-miles-over @yukis-writing @fawnsing @beatlebabe1996 @fly-like-a-phoenix @pinkbay-love
127 notes · View notes
edward-zoo · 3 years ago
Note
Ok, so I saw your inhuman fanart and felt completely in love with it, it's super cute and well done! You have a gift my dude, although I am curious, what made you like the inhumans? For me it was because I absolutely adored Black Bolt as a concept and his solo run was one of the best comic book series I've ever read, though I do think he has to be one of the most underutilised and wasted characters that marvel has used.
Maximus is one I see you draw a lot that I'm a bit more ambivalent about. I'm not sure whether I hate him or pity him, but I think that's part of how inconstantly comic book writers write him. I do find his relationship with Blackagar fascinating, and wish that they'd explore it more, the jealousy between the two, the love, the hate, the dichtonomy and contradictions that are inherent to their brotherhood... How would you interpret his relationship with Black bolt? and with Medusa? Since she's often used as a point of contention between the two.
Idk, I feel like the inhumans as a whole are a group that could be used very well but are overall wasted by marvel, specially since recently all of the inhumans are dead or something like that??? I have to admit I nearly threw my phone out the window when I read, what do you think?
Anyways, I think I've ranted for way too long.... Just now that I love your inhuman art and hope you keep making more!
First off, thanks for liking my art!
I paint as a break from my not-so-fun job….I'm so glad you liked it.
Yes, you are right, the Inhumans have not had much to do lately and I was disappointed in many ways regarding the "handling" of Death of Inhumans. That one was interesting, though, as a story about reading about Black Bolt's character.
They are all very attractive characters and I hope they will be more active in movies and TV dramas as well. In comics, of course
I love Black Bolt and like you I was impressed with the solo series! He is a solitary character who keeps silent and few people really open up to him.
For Black Bolt, Medusa may have been one of the few people he could open his heart to, but with repeated retcons.The love that existed between them contained elements of restraint and obligation, and I think they were a little far from being in a state of mutual heart-to-heart communication.Including that, I interpret Black Bolt as a lonely character who has no way and no partner to share his true feelings. but Lockjaw will forever be his friend... right?
In contrast, I felt from reading Hickman's comic that Maximus ultimately has the deepest understanding of Black Bolt's ideals and beliefs.He is one who works to provide good guidance to the Inhumans in his own way and is willing to work with his brother when he acts to make the Inhumans prosper.Only when he thinks it's funny…He also angers his brother by doing evil, where he seems to be trying to bring out his brother's true feelings. He moves as the only factor that ruffles the mild-mannered and quiet Black Bolt. Their relationship is inextricably love-hate, but they need each other. Intelligence is important in a nation. Black Bolt can't let go of his brother, both as family and as a team. It could also be interpreted that he genuinely cares too much for his brother...
Medusa is an overly maternal woman, so she may have recognized both of the Boltagon brothers as people she should protect.
I honestly also believe that Maximus and Medusa had a romantic relationship in the past that has not been described.I think the three of them were in a very complicated situation. It doesn't seem to matter now.Also, I would still like to see Medusa and Black Bolt together. Not necessarily as a couple, but as friends.
This is how I like the relationship between the brothers of the Inhumans and the King and Queen. I mean, all the members of the Royals are fascinating for me.
I have ranted about this for a long time, but I have so much more to say. (Sorry, English is not my first language, so I can't explain very well🥹)I look forward to seeing Inhumans in many places in the future. Thank you for your questions!
7 notes · View notes
maxwell-grant · 3 years ago
Note
Would you consider Hugo Strange a pulp villain?
Yes. And I would argue that he didn't really stop being one even after his revival.
Tumblr media
"Professor Hugo Strange, the most dangerous man in the world! Scientist, philosopher and a criminal genius - little is known of him, yet this man is undoubtly the greatest organizer of crime in the world! - Bruce Wayne, Detective Comics #36
Hugo Strange was created with the intention of being Batman's arch-enemy right from the start, introduced as such by Bruce when he figures out he's responsible for the G-man assassination, pretty explicitly intended to be Batman's Moriarty and with even an equivalent demise. He was big enough to tower over his henchmen and fistfight Batman, he had a uniquely deformed skull, he was both a charismatic but threatening crimelord as well as a mad scientist plotting to TAKE OVER THE WORLD, and I've heard before the argument that the Monster Men were taken from a Doc Savage novel released earlier the same year called The World's Fair Goblin that revolves around a giant mutated man doing crimes under command by the story's villain
That poor devil, Maximus, was a Fair visitor himself, once. He was given injections of thyroxine and adrenalin—and changed rapidly into a pituitary giant. But, in the experiment, his will power was destroyed. Now he only follows the directions of that masked devil who has him hypnotized
He said, "The Man of Tomorrow stuff was merely publicity to draw the Fair crowds—and a shield to cover your own experiments. But the masked surgeon cashed in on it. Obviously he is mad enough to really believe a superman can be created." - The World's Fair Goblin
(Considering Lester Dent had taken potshots at Superman explicitly in "Whisker of Hercules", it's not unlikely that this is an explicit reference)
Tumblr media
Although there's really no overlap in the stories besides that, as The World's Fair Goblin only had one giant where as Hugo mutated a couple dozen mentally ill patients to create monsters and then used them to go on mass murdering rampages, because Batman has always been over-the-top. But, yeah, original form Hugo was a pretty cut and dry pulp villain, like most of Batman's villains who debuted prior to 1940. Which is part of why he only had about 3 appearences before they killed him off.
By this point, Batman was in the process of moving away from his pulp knock-off origins into more of his own character, with the introduction of Robin and Dick Tracy cartoon villains that would set the tone for the rest of Batman in the Golden Age, and with the debut of Joker and Catwoman in Batman #1, Hugo was already obsolete as an arch-enemy, and was killed off the following appearence.
Tumblr media
Of course, if you know Hugo Strange, you likely already know this, and that he was then revived in the 70s by Marshall Rogers with a brilliant take that stuck to the character's origins as a brilliant crimelord and scientific genius, but also added to him a specifically twisted psychological bent of being obsessed with Batman and becoming Batman, a villain of unshakeable will and even a twisted sense of honor and ethics, refusing to divulge Batman's secret identity even while beaten to death.
And from that moment onwards Hugo would go on to have some of the most consistently brilliant appearences out of any Batman villain (at least until the 2010s) and would secure himself as a mainstay, albeit a very obscure one, figure of Batman, the kind of villain whose plots can range from Born Again-esque subtle destructions of a person's life to a rampage of mutant kaijus on downtown Gotham, and like many of the best Batman villains, it all comes back to a central obsession and psychological edge upon Batman, and the weaponizing and destruction of anything that stands in his way.
Tumblr media
You could argue Hugo Strange used to be a cut and dry pulp villain who was eventually reimagined as a Batman Villain, and it would even be somewhat fitting of his in-universe trajectory as a man who started out a career as a figure of prestige and respect, effortlessly able to blend in society, until his repeated encounters with Batman and, most importantly, his gradually increasing obsession with becoming Batman, gradually destroyed him until he's no longer the one ruling the madhouse, but instead trapped in it.
But the reason why I'd argue Hugo Strange is still a Pulp Villain is because his reinventions didn't shed away what he used to be, they merely returned him to his true origins. Because Hugo, you see, is not just a Mad Scientist or Mad Psychologist, Batman's got those by the dozens. Hugo is of a particularly nasty kind of Pulp Villain, who came to existence around the same time as the Mad Scientist if not slightly earlier, an archetype Jess Nevins has named The Evil Surgeon
Tumblr media
Medicine has arguably thrown up more serial killers than all the other professions put together, with nursing a close second - Herbert Kinnel, former chairman of the British Medical Association
The Evil Surgeon came to existence as a pop culture archetype in the late 19th century, as the result of serial killers like Jack the Ripper and H.H Holmes making the news, with Doctor Quartz from Nick Carter being first and foremost among these, as the main arch-enemy of the most published character worldwide at the time.
He would be followed years later by H.G Wells's Doctor Moreau, and the likes of Dr Caresco and Professor Tornada, the stars of novels created by André Couvreur, who was himself a medical doctor and used these novels to both condemn the characters as well as give serious consideration to the ideas they explored, and depicted Dr Caresco's over-the-top exploits harkening back to stories about Marquis de Sade (the origin of the term "sadist"). These would be followed by characters like Grigorii Trirodov, Dr Cornelius Kramm, Dr Gogol from Mad Love, currently the most famous example of this seems to be Hannibal Lecter. And Hugo has been operating much more along the lines of those characters in the last decades, than the typical mad scientists he was once designed in reference to.
Tumblr media
Of course there's a massive overlap between the two and room to dispute whether they even constitute separate archetypes, they practically came to existence together following the footsteps of Victor Frankenstein, who really isn't a true example of a Mad Scientist in the original novel, and wasn't even a real doctor, but Frankenstein's reputation undeniably is the oldest cultural touchstone we can point to as an influence in the archetype, even if said archetype would only truly take form in pulp magazines and serials.
What I'd argue defines the Evil Surgeon as an archetype specifically, is that they are specifically centered around the violation and destruction of the human body and function more as murderers with budgets, than supervillains in labcoats. Mad Scientists are generally more centered around plots closer to sci-fi/fantasy inventions like sentient robots and immortality potions used for large scale global domination, where as Evil Surgeons are more preoccupied with wielding psychology and torture and criminal resources to get away with destroying minds on more individual scales, or turning cities into slaughterhouses for them to work in.
They aren't quite full blown slasher villains, like Zsasz or Professor Pyg, instead they usually tend to be quite good at passing off as respectable, mentally sound figures of moral standing, and usually possess a sense of purpose towards their work, a goal they are working for by piling corpses atop each other and moving resources to achieve, even if said goal is a purely selfish fulfillment of their own desires. It's quite common for these characters to acquire large bases for them to operate in, even islands specifically.
In Caresco Surhomme, Caresco has taken control of the Pacific island of Eucrasia. Caresco applies his surgical methods to the inhabitants of the island, altering them to better do their jobs. The captain of the plane which brings outsiders to Eucrasia is a limbless trunk with telescopic vision. Even the island itself is in the shape of a human body. The natives of Eucrasia are addicted to various sensual pleasures and generally submit to Caresco’s rule, for fear that he will castrate them or worse.
On Eucrasia, Caresco makes use of “omnium,” a mysterious and unexplained power source, to create: a machine capable of stripping the years from human bodies and reversing the aging process, a fast underground train system, food pills, omnium-powered diving suits, and so on. Caresco is given to such things as collecting the spleens of all those he operates on - Jess Nevins, The Encyclopedia of Pulp Heroes
Tumblr media
So, yes, I absolutely would argue Hugo Strange is still a Pulp Villain. Pulp villains do come in many different forms other than the Fu Manchus and Fantomases that are most commonly imitated, pulp was the breeding ground of the supervillain as a concept after all, where they got to star in their own magazines time and time again. Hugo started off as a fairly generic one, and when he's written poorly, he tends to be brought onboard of a story purely because it calls for a mad scientist.
But Strange came back from death as something much, much worse than just a crimelord and mad scientist, a much more rare and much nastier type of villain that, much like Hugo himself, may lie dormant, but refuses to stay dead for long.
"Quincy. My servant. My friend," Hugo said. "We don't have much time."
Quincy was crying again, with joy. "How, master, how did you-?"
The therapy, Quincy realized. The hypnosis. The drugs.
"Stay with me master, please!" Quincy tried to grab hold a phantom hand.
"I cannot." Strange said, looking benevolently down at Quincy, stroking his hair with a touch the prisoner couldn't feel. "But there is one last service you can perform me."
"Anything, Hugo, please."
Tumblr media
"First, remove the sheet from your bed, Quincy. And tie it to the light-fixture on the ceiling."
38 notes · View notes
cathoderaysunshinebeaver · 4 years ago
Text
Heretic/Hexen
Tumblr media
I love Doom. I’ve never made an attempt to list my favorite video games in a numerical order, but if I did, Doom would likely be one of the highest, if not #1. I’m also a big fan of the “dark fantasy” aesthetic, so discovering the Heretic/Hexen series was a treat, to say the least.
Released in 1994, Heretic was built using the Doom engine by Raven Software, with John Romero himself having helped the team set up their computers and teaching them the basics of how he would make maps for the game. With this in mind, you’d be forgiven for saying what a lot of reviewers said at the time: this game looks like a Doom reskin with a fantasy theme.
Tumblr media
This sentiment mostly applies to the first game, Heretic. But in a sea of other “Doom clones” released at the time, it is definitely one of the more competent ones. You play as Corvus, one of the few surviving elves in a world overtaken by the evil Serpent Riders, who have decided to exterminate all the elves because their magical powers make them resistant to the mind control spells the Serpent Riders use to conquer and subjugate realm after realm on their quest for world domination. Unsurprisingly, Corvus is out for revenge, and the end goal of the game is to hunt down and kill the first of the three Serpent Riders, D’Sparil.
The gameplay in Heretic is more similar to Doom than in the later games, but it does the Doom formula well. Most weapons have a distinct counterpart in the game it is based on: the Elven Wand is your pistol, the Dragon Claw is your chaingun, the Ethereal Crossbow is your shotgun, and so on. They are satisfying to use (save the wand, arguably), and look deliciously fantasy-eque, with beautiful spritework. The levels are split into a familiar structure, featuring three episodes with nine levels each (and two more episodes released as an expansion pack). The enemies are varied, with pretty animations and distinct sounds, and play into the Doom experience very well in that the combinations and locations of enemies in each area lends itself to very different strategies (although “run really fast and blast everyone with the crossbow” rarely fails on most difficulties). The two expansion episodes are considerably more challenging, and will require more quick thinking and ammo, sorry, mana conservation. Definitely a fun romp.
Tumblr media
The sequel, Hexen, is where the series starts finding it’s own unique twist on the genre, and is the by many regarded as the “classic” that really put the franchise on the map. Again, you’re playing as a vindictive hero on a quest to liberate their realm from the Serpent Riders. This time it’s Korax, the second out of the three. However, now you’ve got to pick a class. This is the first big difference you’ll notice when starting the game. Corvus is MIA from his last adventure, and instead your choice of protagonist is between Baratus the Fighter, Parias the Cleric, and Daedolon the mage. While the game isn’t an RPG, these characters all have different stats when it comes to running speed and base HP. More importantly, they each have access to their own unique set of weapons. Mana is shared between the weapons, which are now split into green, blue and dual mana types, but they all behave very differently. For example, the fighter’s weapons are mostly of the melee variety and consume mana rapidly only for special attack modes, as they can still be swung without mana. The mage on the other hand uses his bare hands to cast a lot of his spells, but they do not burn through mana nearly as quickly. Unsurprisingly, the cleric is a hybrid, and uses both a spiked club and a mix of magical weapons. An “ultimate” weapon is also available to each class, which must be assembled from parts and consumes both blue and green mana, but has really devastating attacks (the cleric’s “Wraithverge” summons ghosts that scream like banshees and tear every nearby enemy to shreds; it’s just as metal as it sounds)!
Beyond the class differences, the level structure is the other major difference between Heretic and Hexen. Instead of a linear series of levels, each episode is now defined by a hub level with many branching areas that can usually be visited in any order. You need to find key items and activate switches in each one to open the way to the next world, and many areas within each sub-level are also locked until you find the right key/switch in a completely different area. As would be expected, this new spin on the level progression comes with both pros and cons. Few players today will be able to complete the game without ever looking at a walkthrough, and based on some comments I’ve read, this is one of those games that many people in the 90s would only dream of beating on their own. That said, there are very few instances where pulling a switch won’t at the very least give you a short message indicating it’s purpose (i.e. “A door has opened in the Wastelands”), and even then those with enough patience will rarely feel completely lost if they’re willing to backtrack systematically through every area over and over, taking note of every single locked door and unreachable area. I doubt it’s something the majority of gamers enjoy doing, but if you’re the type who would rather give up before accepting a hint, I’m happy to report that this game IS beatable even with your play style.
On the other hand, this structure also adds a lot to the feeling of being on a dangerous, epic quest. Metroidvania fans know that there are few things as satisfying as picking up a key and thinking “hey, I recognize this symbol! Now I can finally see what’s behind that door in the swamp!”. Uncovering the world bit by bit in this fashion really lends an air of mystery to the land of Cronos (where Hexen is set), and truly gives you that classic feeling of “pride and accomplishment” when you’re finally able to descend into that forbidding temple that’s been looming on the horizon for so long. And for those of you who are worried you won’t get to blast enough monsters to get your fill, this game still has you covered.
Tumblr media
The enemies in Hexen are just as threatening as those in Heretic, and they look even better this time (seriously, if you enjoyed the visual aspect of Heretic, Hexen steps it up tenfold with truly gorgeous sprites, textures, animations and even some environmental visual effects, like thick mist and dead leaves blowing in the wind). You’ve got a fantastic cast of evil wizards, zombies, dog-like orcs, Minotaurs and more types of dragons and dragon hybrids than you could shake a Mace of Contrition at. A good amount of the baddies are initially very similar to those in Heretic, but their attacks are more distinct, varied and dangerous, and there are a whole lot more of these guys this time around. If you have the enemy counter turned on in your automap it won’t be uncommon to see the numbers exceed 400, and some of the weaker enemies will even respawn after a while. Don’t worry though, it’s not frequent enough to be stressful, but instead it really helps the backtracking from getting too tedious. Key hunting is a lot more intense when you never know if an Ettin is waiting around the corner to cave your skull in! However, if you’ve seen any other reviews of this game, you’ve heard a lot of grief expressed in regards to the Minotaurs (and their big brothers, the Maulotaurs). They aren’t the strongest foe in the game, but their shields, their surprise lighting bolts and their sheer numbers can definitely be a pain in the gluteus maximus. On the plus side, it makes killing them all the more satisfying, and you’ll find yourself experimenting quite a bit with your weapons and items to figure out the safest and quickest way to end their existence.
That’s right, I forgot to mention the items. The third and last major difference between Doom and these games is your inventory. The items are largely the same in all the games in the series, and using them can be a bit of a hassle unless you’re willing to fiddle around with your control settings to find a setup you prefer (I would usually bind the item selection keys to the scroll wheel and use them with the right mouse button). Visually, the inventory is similar to that seen in Duke Nukem 3D, and just like in that game, you’ll likely find yourself using some items a lot more frequently than others. Health and mana refills are a major aid, and beyond that you have things such as invisibility, invincibility, flechettes (despite what the name says, they’re more like grenades or mines, depending on your class), and a magical book that gives your weapons a much more powerful firing mode for a short time (although this item is mysteriously absent in Hexen). A special mention also goes to the Morph Ovum/Porkelator/Seal of the Ovinomancer, which transforms an enemy into a chicken/pig/sheep, respectively. A lot of fun to use, and and immense help against some stronger enemies if you’re low on health and/or mana.
Tumblr media
If you didn’t find yourself using these items all too much in Heretic or Hexen, the following game might just give you a reason to. Hexen II is the third game in the series, and the final chapter in the Serpent Riders saga. This time you’re in the realm of Thyrion, and the last Serpent Rider, Eidolon, is the one who must be slain to free the land from his curse. In terms of gameplay, Hexen II is a lot more similar to Hexen than Hexen was to Heretic. You’ve got the same type of hub level structure, and you’ll again pick a class at the start, although now your choice has expanded, consisting of the Crusader, Paladin, Necromancer and Assassin, as well as the Demoness in the expansion (yes, all these games have expansion packs and they’re all worth playing in that they’re more of the same, but expanded, duh, and more polished).
The major difference this time around is one you can probably tell immediately from the screenshot: yes, Hexen II goes 3D (and in an exception to the common rule at the time, it is NOT titled “Hexen 3D” despite technically being the third installment). Specifically, the game uses a modified Quake engine. As mentioned, the core gameplay remains largely the same as in Hexen, but the level designers definitely did not waste that extra dimension. The levels are less expansive here, but a lot more complex and full of hidden passages, surprising loops and a whole lot of verticality. Scurring across a courtyard with archers raining arrows down on you from balconies is just as tense as it is satisfying later on to reach the same balcony and return the favor to any ghoul unlucky enough to find themselves below. Overall, the layout and progression in each area feels like it’s been given a lot more consideration and has endured more testing. Most of the time, the key hunting in each area feels more self-contained, and when it isn’t you rarely feel like you have no idea where to go. This is because every lock has been designed to feel more like a puzzle. In practice, your goal is still to find an item and bring it somewhere, but the locks and keys themselves are much more distinct, which helps you remember what to do and where to go. Instead of levers and typical keys, you find yourself looking for artefacts such as potion ingredients that will let you turn metal into wood, pieces of a broken mechanism or symbolic relics that must be placed in the hands of a statue to go in line with a prophecy. There are also more direct instructions in the form of book entries and inscribed stone tablets, which are very helpful in those cases where the puzzle might require a bit more than just item hunting, such as pulling switches in a certain order or lining objects up to create a pattern. It’s still unlikely that you’ll breeze through the whole game without getting confused, but you’ll rarely be at a complete loss; you’ll usually know what you’re looking for or what you’re trying to activate, even if you may need a walkthrough to find a specific hidden passage or to figure out exactly what a contraption does.
Overall, Hexen II feels like a refined Hexen, with more care put into making every area feel very distinct. It is absolutely not any less challenging though. The areas might be smaller in terms of actual units of measurement, and there are definitely fewer enemies on the screen at all times, but this is compensated for in spades. The third dimension adds a thick layer of complexity to every level, and the enemies hit HARD. If you got into a rhythm in Hexen of circle strafing, dodging and picking off targets in an order of perceived priority, you’ll have to learn to dance to a different tune here. Some enemies will close in on you incredibly quickly, and many of them have the ability to turn you into minced meat in a matter of seconds. Now more than ever is when you’ll want to shoot with a steady aim, use your items wisely, keep all the possible paths of retreat in your mental map, and scour every nook and cranny for health and mana to stand a chance against some of the stronger mooks. Hexen II as a whole is a lot more fast paced and tense and also has a more dramatic views and set pieces along with some extra bits of storytelling scattered around the world for those interested.
Tumblr media
So, what are my thoughts on the Heretic/Hexen series as a whole? In short, it’s a treat. Combining classic fantasy tropes with the hectic action of Doom (and Quake) was an idea that was bound to happen sooner or later, and in this case, it worked out really well. There are of course other examples of this iconic clash of genres (check out Amid Evil for a totally kick-ass recent example!), but from what I know, the Serpent Riders saga is the one with the most lasting appeal. All the games strike a great balance between frantic, gory FPS action and the slower paced mystery and brooding sense of evil that only dark castles and dungeons can provide, with each game leaning a bit more toward one direction or the other. At a core gameplay level, there is nothing absolutely groundbreaking about Heretic/Hexen, but every element is done well and with care, and the presentation oozes of 20th century gothic fantasy charm, both the visuals and music. If the first paragraph of this review made you go “oh, those are both things I like!” then definitely check these games out. Same goes for anyone who is simply curious about the history of Id software and the impact Doom and Quake had on the gaming landscape. My only warning to you before playing these games is this: keep in mind that these games are from the 90s. There’s a reason many people have memories of booting these games up, getting completely stuck and then never playing them again. That said, as long as you have an internet connection (how else would you be reading this?) and an average amount of patience, there’s a whole lot of fun to be had here. All the games mentioned above are available on Steam (and GoG as well, I believe), and play excellently with modern source ports: gzdoom for Heretic and Hexen, and Hammer of Thyrion for Hexen II are my recommendations.
Finally, there is another game in the franchise. Heretic II returns to the story of Corvus (from the first game) and continues the story beyond the Serpent Riders arc, but due to some licensing issues it is not available on neither Steam nor GoG. Technically you could still buy a physical copy of the game, and I’ve seen mentions of at least one fan endeavor to make the game more accessible on modern computers, but I have yet to check it out. Maybe in the future. For now, I hope you enjoyed this dive into one of the slightly less famous, but still very popular classic 90s “Doom clones”!
34 notes · View notes
fitzs-trained-monkey · 4 years ago
Text
Chapter Three: If We Have Each Other.
Tumblr media
~When the world's not perfect When the world's not kind If we have each other then we'll both be fine. I will be your brother and I'll hold your hand. You should know I'll be there for you. I will always be there for you~
"Dude, we are in some serious jelly," I proclaimed as I paced around the small perimeter of the tree house.
"And that jam!" Isaac added from where he remained sitting at the table.
"Tight spot."
"Indeed!"
"Up a tree!" I supplied.
"Lost in the grass!" He offered. I swung around, shaking my finger at him.
"I'll tell ya what's grass, our- AAH FRACKLES!"  I had stepped on a stray nail in one of the floorboards. Hobbling my way back into my chair, I thunked my head against the table.
"But look at the bright side." Isaac leaned back in his chair. "Seeing as how our grand-theft-hairbrush is going viral and all, there is still a chance that me flipping the camera off could become a meme!" He pointed out. Slowly, I raised my head to stare at him.
"Are you kidding me right now?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Consider it, Marty! All it took was five years being dead and now I'm finally fulfilling my life-long dream! If I'd known it was this easy, I would have killed myself a long time ago and spared me all that drama and emotional damage," Isaac smirked. I shook my head, my gaze drifted back to the Vader figure and snow globe sitting side-by-side on the shelf.
"Please don't talk like that Isaac," I sighed. Isaac's face fell.
"Sorry, I-I wasn't thinking," He apologized. I nodded.
"It's okay." It wasn't, but what more could be said when you didn't want to speak?
"Hey," Isaac spoke softly, ducking his head to get me to look at him, "Even if things go sour, I'm gonna be here for you. Just like I promised. Through thick and thin, remember?"
"Through thick and thin."
Smiling weakly, I repeated our life long mantra. I took a deep breath and focused back in on the problem.
"Alright, man. We gotta figure out a game plan. That video is gonna bring every hunter and their mom up here to ice our, or my, gluteus maximus. And if they know about the minimart then they know about the hospital. So, what's our play?"
"Well, I say you use your Sweet-Talkin' thing and talk any o'those alcoholic weirdos out of it," Isaac suggested. I shook my head.
"Isaac, you know how much I hate doing that."
Although it was a tempting idea, that wasn't something I wanted to mess with. If you start playing with the dark things, the dark things start playing with you. That wasn't a concept I liked, but Isaac would never understand that.
"I'm just saying it’s an option! And an easy one at that," Isaac pushed. I glared at him.
"I'm not doing that."
"It might come to it, Marty. I'm just saying as a plan C it-"
"The answer is no! Moving on." My tone killed and buried the subject. Isaac raised his hands in surrender.
"Fine. But misinformation is still our strongest tool. We should use it. Tell anybody who asks that it was all done on a computer," He conceded.
"Alright, that's plan A. What's plan B?"  Isaac's face twisted in thought. I let him do any and all planning when it came to telling a lie because he was so much better at making it convincing than I was. Isaac was the king of spouting believable bull crap. In fact, he would have made and excellent demon. That guy could probably get an angel to sell its soul for a box of holy doughnuts. When the idea hit Isaac's brain, I could almost see a light bulb light up above his head. He leaned forward, exited.
"Okay, I got it. We make up some BS story about a gay black dude who got chopped up by the ferry or something and the hospital wouldn't help him because all the doctors were racist homophobes, and it was the 50's." He nodded at me very seriously. Like I said, Isaac was king.
"That's is the worst, most ridiculous and stupid story I have ever heard," I told him. Isaac's nodding grew more excited. "It's perfect. They'll buy every word. Just one thing though, what about the mini-mart?" I pointed out.
Isaac opened his mouth before closing it again. Then he opened it. Then he closed it. Open. Closed. Open. Closed. This happened several more times before he finally came up with something good.
"So, our gay black guy was also a nice hobo dude and after he died he started stealing crap to give to his hobo buddies." Isaac gave me a thumbs up. I nodded.
"Okay, sounds good, sounds good. How do we explain me?" I splayed my hands. Isaac huffed and rolled his eyes, leaning back again and tucking his hands behind his head.
"Well, that’s easy. The camera never even caught a glimpse of your face, so you're his anonymous theft buddy slash item distributer!" He explained. I grinned at my fantastic phantasmal co-conspirator.
"Excellent, and of course nobody knows who the thief is. Especially not, innocent little me!" I chuckled at his brilliance.
"Exactly!" Isaac smirked.
"It's perfect! Except one last thing. We're gonna need some eyes and ears in on this. Someone to alert us when someone fishy comes lurking about," I said. Isaac nodded seriously.
"You're right. But who can we trust around here?" He asked. I could feel the smile split across my face.
"I can think of only one man for this job. A man as trustworthy as he is slimy. A man scrubbed clean by his own filth. A man so wonderful, words do him no justice!" I declared dramatically. Isaac was confused for a moment before realization dawned. His face fell.
"Please tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking."
"I think I am." I grinned. Isaac just sighed.
"Marty, no."
"Marty, yes!"
- 45 minutes later-
"Yo! Danny, my man! How's life?" I called out. Dan-the-Dope-Man looked up from...whatever it was he was doing outside Copper Harbor's one and only pharmacy. The pharmacy which he, in fact, owned. Honestly, I didn't want to know exactly what he had been doing behind the pile of cardboard boxes that were stacked up against the moldy brick. I figured it was better if I didn't. Dan smiled a grin that was missing two teeth.
"Marty! My worst customer and only friend! Life's good!" He greeted me, kicking a few of the boxes over to hide whatever suspicious activity it was that he had been up to. He winked and walked over to me, pushing his absolutely disgusting blond hair out of his face. "But, you know, business is betta'," He concluded.
I could never tell how tall Dan was, in this form especially. See, Dan-the-Dope-Man was a shapeshifter, though of course, no one else in the town knew that. That's how he was the owner of the pharmacy as well as a drug dealer. His other form, Jonathan De’ Santos, was the tall, 40-year-old, honest-looking Hawaiian man that ran the pharmacy. In this form, however, Dan was a somewhere-in-the-upper-five-foot-range Caucasian guy from Brooklyn with a thing against bathing. He said that the grungy, sewer-rat look was better for his side business. I wasn't sure how much of that I bought, but then again, who's gonna buy drugs from the guy who's supposed to make sure you don't destroy yourself with them.
"I bet it is!" I said, taking a step back when he reached me because, like I said, the guy had a thing against hygiene.
"This is a terrible, terrible idea," Isaac muttered, leaning on the wall to my left. I couldn't reply to him because although Dan knew what I was he didn't know about Isaac. So all I could do was give him a rude gesture behind my back. He saw it and stuck his tongue out at me.
"What can I do fo' ya, Marty?" Dan always pronounced my name as 'Mawty' at least in this form as it had a Brooklyn accent.
"Well, o' Danny boy, I have some rather bad news to deliver," I continued, "There might be some hunters coming to town soon."
Dan frowned; his eyes narrowed at me as he folded his arms over his chest.
"Well, that ain't good. Whatt'id ya do, Marty?" He asked. Sometimes Dan could be like my older brother, even if he didn't realize it.
"Woah, woah, woah! Who said I did anything?!" I defended. Dan just raised an eyebrow.
"You're always showin' off and ya know it," He said simply.
"He's right, you know," Isaac interjected. I wished I could tell him to shut his eidolic cake hole. It wouldn't have made much of a difference if I could, as he would still have continued talking, but the principle remained the same. Isaac was annoying. He needed to shut his mouth now and again. But I couldn't say that right now because he was a flipping ghost and ghosts are invisible. Mostly.
Ignoring Isaac, I opened my mouth to try to argue with Dan but quickly closed it again when found that I couldn't, because he was absolutely right. Now, I couldn’t admit that to him because Isaac was right here and that would be saying that he was right about something, and that was a thing I would never hear the end of.
"In regards," I started again.
"You'd just say 'regardless'," Isaac chimed in. I had to physically bite my tongue to keep from screaming at him to shut up.
"Regardless," I corrected. Isaac chuckled. I really needed to get myself some iron gauntlets or something so I could give his apparitional arse an involuntary appendectomy. Or just an iron ring so I could punch him in the face.
"Regardless, it wasn't me. This time. It was some attention seeking moron with a computer. That combined with my little hospital trips and you get something fishy looking." I finally managed to finish my sentence without Isaac chiming in.
"Well then ya betta' keep ya head down, Marty. I don' wan' ya gettin hurt." A dark look crossed over Dan's usually upbeat face. "Or worse," He finished.
"I know Danny, which is why I need you to do something for me," I said. Isaac sighed and face palmed but I ignored it.
"What?" Dan asked.
"I need you to watch out for any newcomers asking weird questions. I've got a plan if any hunters get too close to us, I just need to know who and where they are," I told him.
See, the pharmacy, the mini-mart, the bar, and the barber shop all sat across from each other at a four way intersection. Thus, Dan would have an excellent view of any hunter's first two targets. The origin of the supernatural activity, in this case the mini-mart, and the bar. He would be the perfect spy. Dan looked at me strangely.
"Say, Marty, you ain't plannin' on gankin' any a' dose' suckas' now are ya?" He asked, caution evident in his voice. I sighed, shaking my head internally. This was just another downside of being what I was. Everybody thinks you're a murderer. Though I knew I was far from innocent, I had never killed anyone. At least, anyone who didn't deserve it.
"Come on, Danny. In all the time you've known me, have I ever, er, ganked anyone?" I asked him, spreading my hands as if to catch the obvious answer.
"Well, no. But people can change," Dan pointed out. I rolled my eyes.
"Dan, I'm not gonna kill anyone. There, ya happy?" I said, only mildly aggravated. Isaac decided it was time to speak up again.
"You may not. But I will. If it comes to that. I won't let anybody hurt you, Marty. Not again. Not when I can do something about it."
I knew he was saying this now so I wouldn't be able to argue with him. Then I would forget and if he did kill someone Isaac would say he'd said he would. I ground my teeth together and reminded myself that it wasn't going to come to that. I wouldn't let it.
Meanwhile, Dan thought about what I'd spoken aloud.
"Yeah okay, but if anybody comes sniffin' I'm skippin', kay?" He agreed. I nodded.
"Okay, take care of yourself, Danny."
"You too, Marty." I smiled at him and began to walk away. Isaac pushed himself off the wall and trudged behind me, complaining loudly.
"Make sure you take care of yourself too, Issac! I'd hate myself if anything happened to you, Isaac! I wouldn't be able to survive without you, Isaac! Thanks Marty, your friendship means everything to me!" He said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Ugh! Why do I even bother?"
I smirked giving him the sign for 'I love you' behind my back.
"Aw shut up!"
But I knew he was smiling.
~So, I'm thankful for my sister even though sometimes we fight When high school wasn't easy, she's the reason I survived. I know she'd never leave me and I hate to see her cry. I just wanna tell her that I'm always by her side. I just wanna tell her that...
The worlds not perfect, but it’s not that bad. If we've got each other and that’s all we have I will be your brother and I'll hold your hand You should know I'll be there for you When the world's not perfect When the world's not kind If we have each other then we'll both be fine I will be your brother and I'll hold your hand You should know I'll be there for you.
I will always be there for you.~
Lyrics from: If We Have Each Other by Alec Benjamin
10 notes · View notes
five-miles-over · 4 years ago
Text
‘Aftermath’ Chapter 12: History Has Its Eyes on You (Commodus x OC)
Tumblr media
(image source: @attackofthesith​)
Summary: Emperor Commodus finds a taste of paradise after a long time in his personal darkness. Meanwhile, Petronius and Philomenus take the biggest stand of their lives, determined to bring the republic back and honor the late Caesar.
Word Count: 2,414
Warning: Violence, angst, character death
Read Part 1: The Impossible Dream here
Read Part 2: Proud of Your Boy here
Read Part 3: Point of No Return here
Read Part 4: Look Down here
Read Part 5: Beneath a Moonless Sky here
Read Part 6: These Palace Walls here
Read Part 7: Wait For It here
Read Part 8: Something There here
Read Part 9: Be Prepared here
Read Part 10: Twisted Every Way here
Read Part 11: All I Ask of You here
Philomenus never wanted to run. At least that’s what he hoped that people would say when they told his story. 
Approaching the Colosseum with daggers and gladii under his tunic, the centurion had never felt more alive that before. Philomenus kept thinking about how happy Claudia would be to raise their siblings in a republic, how delighted their deceased parents would be with their offspring, and how heroic he would stand in the face of his young twin brother and sister.
For someone who had never participated in a scheme before, deception came rather easily to him. With a few sweet words, Philomenus was able to charm one of the guards into leaving his post and surrendering his uniform. The disguise would definitely fool Commodus, he thought. The next guard would not let Philomenus pass so easily. Not after the centurion tripped and a knife fell from under his tunic with a loud clang. But one quick slash of his sword against the guard’s stomach cleared his way.
As of now, Petronius was the only one who knew about their joint plot, but they would reveal themselves as the assassins once Commodus breathed his last. The two of them would be publicly hailed as the ones who brought Rome back to her true self. The Senators would be eternally grateful to them, and they could all fearlessly honor the Spaniard who spent his life as a soldier of Rome. Finishing what he started, the centurion was confident that the soul of Maximus Decimus Meridius would finally rest in peace. 
The thought of all this was enough for massive mounts of adrenaline to surge within Philomenus. He was going to be fighting for Rome in the biggest stand of his life, defending her honor as he would defend his own mother. 
Petronius was right when he claimed yesterday that it was their responsibility, as comrades of the late Maximus, to exact revenge upon Commodus. The vile man had no regard for the value of human life, taking it as he pleased in the same way a child would throw around its toys. Patricide would have been the only way for Commodus to win the throne; surely Marcus Aurelius would never let his immoral son succeed him. Wisdom, justice, fortitude, and temperance…Commodus never had any of those things, and yet had the nerve to believe he deserved to become the protector of Rome. All because he was born into the household of the late Caesar! 
Spitting into the ground with disgust, Philomenus clenched his jaw hearing the mob chant Commodus’s name from the seats of the Colosseum. And how Commodus would be happily eating up the attention like a dog eats from the bones thrown at him. The only thing that calmed the centurion’s wrath the knowledge that after tomorrow, that very name would be erased from the minds and tongues of Romans everywhere.
————————————————————————————————————————
The Emperor had a youthful glow upon his face when he entered the Imperial Box of the stadium. It was almost as if the Sun took a bit of its own brightness, and showered Commodus in it. 
He had the most perfect morning after a long time. Rather than being disappointed by his nephew’s reluctance at breakfast, the emperor was amused by stories Prince Lucius narrated from his lessons. And instead of being agitated by a night terror, Commodus was awakened by kisses from his bride-to-be. 
Wide-eyed with mildly-disheveled hair, Caesonia innocently brushed her lips along his arm. Blushing while his eyes fluttered open, Commodus held her closer and gently moved his fingers along her back. That glint in his eyes quickly turned lustful when his hand barely reached the curve of her derriere. After they realized the two of them were still naked from the night before, things quickly escalated into another session of sweet lovemaking.
If he closed his eyes now, he could still see her lying in his bed. Her shapely breasts rose and fell while she gasped for air post-coitus.  The sheets barely covered the junction of her thighs, the rest of her body was drenched in sunlight and her limbs were sprawled across the mattress.
The mere sight of her looking at him so lovingly was alluring enough for Commodus to toy with the idea of spending a few more moments in bed. Though her presence was also the reason he didn’t loudly scold the guard who had come to fetch him. 
Not taking his eyes off of his rose for a moment, he began to dress himself in a new set of black armor and silk purple robes. The emperor teased Caesonia that if he could not lay with his beloved one more time, then he ought to be permitted to gaze upon her beauty while he prepared to leave. Hiding her face for a moment, she giggled and hugged her knees close.
Delighted and enamored by her girlish laughter, Commodus gave her one of his togas to wear for the day. He had personally never cared for the garment, considering it fit for old men, but it seemed like the only thing in his wardrobe that a lady could wear. And the toga almost reminded Commodus of their first kiss. Caesonia wore a similar, coarser garment when they walked in the palace gardens and conversed together. He couldn’t believe that moonless evening was only a month ago; it felt as if it had been longer since then. 
Murmuring her thanks, she accepted the toga, as well as his offer to help her put it on. Like young lovers, they exchanged pleasant small talk and spoke of their hopes of many more starlit nights together. Draping the silk around her slender form, Commodus pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder and requested for her to rest while he was gone. Now that she was going to be his Empress, he needed her to be healthy and in good condition to accompany him to the Games. At last, Lucilla’s chair would no longer be empty. 
He wasn’t sure about how to introduce her to Lucius. His own nephew was only beginning to warm up to him, and Commodus was concerned about hurting the boy. Assuring himself that Lucius would be amicable with Caesonia, the emperor broke his fast with his nephew. The engaging conversation made the bread taste heartier, and the cheese more flavorful. He even drank less wine, usually turning to the drink in order to fill the silence. Perhaps there was hope for a new family to rid Commodus of his solitude, and shower him with the love that he yearned for so desperately.
And now, here he was, entering the Colosseum to thousands of people chanting his name with adoration. With a wave to the crowd, Commodus was confident that even the gods could not take his happiness away. 
——————————————————————————————————————————
“Look well into thyself; there is always a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look.”
Petronius nodded in approval. “Is that from one of Caesar’s writings?”
“Yes,” Philomenus replied, smiling with pride like a child who’d perfectly recited his lessons. “We should say something. Like, you know, before we strike.”
The centurion was immediately hushed by his accomplice. It was no secret to the general that announcing themselves was a stupid idea. “If we say too much now, then we may not get a chance to say anything else.” Moreover, Petronius had no interest in listening to words from someone who was reluctant to take action. He would not rest until Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus was dead. 
Relenting, Philomenus slumped against the walls of the tunnel with his weapon in hand. “He’ll come here, right? Not anywhere else?”
“Yes,” Petronius gritted through his teeth, finding himself annoyed with the other man almost as much as he was annoyed by Senator Gaius. That old man kept bombarding him with rebuttals and offering no sympathy for Petronius’s view. Let them wait for Commodus to lose his sanity, he thought to himself, but I cannot. The people of Rome will not wait. Eyes burning with vengeance, the general kept his demeanor calm while his fingers became acquainted with the blade and hilt of one of Philomenus’s weapons. 
Much like Philomenus, Petronius too had a sister who’d be waiting to congratulate him with open arms. But he knew that thoughts of her would be nothing but an obstacle in this quest of his. He needed to remain focused on what he wanted more than anything; the death of the man responsible for destroying Rome. Commodus needed to pay for what he’d done, and he could not bribe with bread and circuses for long. 
The two men stood apart from each other at opposite sides of the tunnel. They hadn’t discussed how they planned to lunge at their target, or whether or not there would be many Praetorians there to stand in the way. Yet, perhaps Commodus would be sufficiently intoxicated by bloodshed, power, and attention from the Games, thus making it easier for him to be killed. Petronius hoped that such would be true, listening intently while the announcer commented on each event of the day. 
Just when their knees began to feel the slightest hint of fatigue, the doors of the tunnel loudly swung open. A herald broke the silence, proclaiming that the Emperor of Rome was to arrive. This was it. This was the moment they’d been waiting for. This was…
“For Marcus Aurelius!!” Philomenus screamed, latching onto Commodus’s shoulder and slashing his sword against the emperor’s armor. Commodus stumbled backwards, taken aback by the sudden mention of his father’s name. Almost immediately, he commanded his Praetorians to take action. Petronius fought the three Praetorians that tried to capture him, disarming them with quick succession. The three of them fell to the ground with fatal wounds to their chests and legs. 
Philomenus continued to duel with the infuriated Commodus, who’d effectively countered each and every blow the general launched. Despite Philomenus’s dagger being paltry against Commodus’s well-fashioned sword, the centurion stood his ground. “You will pay for what you’ve done, Commodus!” He yelled, defiantly calling the emperor by name. 
Commodus said nothing in reply, instead using his might to push Philomenus against the wall and kick the centurion with his knee. Philomenus skillfully dodged Commodus’s attempts to stab him in the chest, continuing to taunt mercilessly. 
Meanwhile, Petronius had managed to fend off the other Praetorians, even kicking one of them in the chest and sending him into the dust. His heart was pounding wildly like a war drum as he continued to attack the other guards standing in the tunnel. 
One of them was able to snatch the weapon away from Petronius, kicking the general to the ground in the same way he’d kicked a Praetorian. Clenching his fists, Petronius spat at the guard and wiped his bleeding nose with a dead Praetorian’s purple cloak. He picked up a stray weapon and retaliated. 
And Philomenus seemed to be using words more than swordplay with the emperor. “You’re nothing but a vile man! You’re nothing! Everyone who’s ever loved you has turned their backs on you!” Commodus continued to say nothing while lunging his attacks, instead resisting the urge to cut off his opponent’s tongue.  
Philomenus kicked Commodus, sending him to the ground while the laurel crown fell off Commodus’s head. The emperor touched his own lip to find it bleeding profusely. With a snarl, he quickly stood back up and gripped his sword again. Only this time, he was attacked from behind by Petronius. 
“This is your chance, Philomenus!” Petronius yelled while he ducked Commodus’s blows. Petronius raised his dagger, preparing to stab Commodus’s neck. Unfortunately, the centurion was too slow. 
Commodus took advantage of Petronius’s fatigue, slashing the general’s ribs through the thin armor. And within the blink of an eye, Petronius collapsed dead. 
The sheer sight of the general’s fall was too much to bear for Philomenus. Before Commodus could turn around, the centurion had sprinted off as if he were running from a fire. The emperor smeared Petronius’s blood onto his face, turning to valiantly face his surroundings like a lion asserting its territory. 
Commodus didn’t know where the man known as “Philomenus” had gone, but he was too dizzy from this near-death experience to interrogate. He vowed to himself to punish that traitor appropriately…for now, though, the emperor fell to his knees and attempted to steady his breathing, so as not to black out from exertion.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
It was just a momentary fear, Philomenus told himself once he was far away from the stadium. He didn’t know what he was thinking, his legs pumping furiously as he ran out of the Colosseum. Rather, Philomenus did not even know if he was thinking in that moment. 
Why would he run now, after thinking so long about how great things would be after Commodus was dead?
Marcus Aurelius would be disappointed, and so would his parents, but…perhaps Claudia would not be so angry. After all, wasn’t she the one who tried to dissuade him from his plan? 
All he needed now was to get home before Commodus could send his men. Philomenus was not unaware of the treatment Maximus’s family received for Maximus’s insubordination. If not the last, his family would not be the next one in Commodus’s reign of terror.
—————————————————————————————————————————
Thank the gods I sent Lucius home with Senator Falco as an escort. Commodus swallowed hard while he watched his nephew go to his chamber without a care in the world, knowing nothing about the attempt on his uncle’s life. He knew the prince wanted to become independent of his family, but Commodus of all people had just witnessed what happens when royals begin to let down their guard. 
With a glare, the emperor ordered one of the Praetorians in the palace to bring his betrothed to him and then immediately lock the doors. His cold gaze burned into her skin as she carefully approached him and wiped the blood off his face. 
Commodus’s inner demons convinced him that there was an equal chance of a surprise assassination attempt as there was of a deceitful bride-to-be. On any other day, he wouldn’t believe those voices. But this was no ordinary day - had he been careless, Rome would be left without a protector. And he would have left his children without a father. 
Gripping her hand and digging his nails into her skin, Commodus ordered her in a shaky yet steely voice. 
“Disrobe, now.”
40 notes · View notes
rachelbethhines · 4 years ago
Text
Tangled Salt Marathon - Max and Eugene in Peril on the High Seas
Tumblr media
So we have another obligatory animal focused episode. This one fairs much better than Max’s Enemy and King Pascal; but it’s still ultimately useless filler. 
Summary: Rapunzel and the group are finally leaving Tirapai Island when the cargo ferry arrives, but Eugene and Maximus get into an argument, resulting in them falling overboard. They manage to save themselves on a passing ship, but discover it to be a prison ship where all the criminals, including the Stabbington Brothers, Lady Caine and Axel have escaped and taken control. Eugene and Maximus attempt to escape, but discover the villains' plot to ambush the cargo ferry and set out to stop them. Meanwhile, Rapunzel and the group discover Eugene and Maximus are missing and set out to rescue them.
There’s No Ticking Clock In Season Two and That’s to the Series’s Detriment 
Tumblr media Tumblr media
So we’re finally leaving the island and this bit of dialogue tells us that they were on said island for at least six weeks. Which matters not in the slightest in the grand scheme of things; which is the problem. 
In addition to there being no outside threat forcing Rapunzel on this journey, there’s also nothing that’s forcing her to hurry up. So we’re doubly lacking in tension. There are no stakes in season two so things feel over long, and arcs that have the heroes stay in one place for more than two episodes at time stop the momentum of the series dead; leading to tedium for the viewers. 
We Didn’t Need King Pascal Just to Set Up the Firefly
Tumblr media Tumblr media
The firefly is one of the few elements in the show that has proper set up and resolve. It’s established as the threat in one episode and then used as the solution in this episode. However both episodes are utterly useless in the over all arc so, while clever, it’s a wasted idea. It’s also unneeded since this intro exposition re-explains what the firefly is and what it’s deal is in case people missed out on King Pascal anyways. 
The Reason Why this Max Focus Episode Works, but Not Max’s Enemy, is Because It’s a Double Act
Tumblr media
The problem with the mandated animal themed episodes every season is that Max and Pascal aren’t strong enough characters to work by themselves. They’re sidekicks; they’re designed to play off other characters. The writers seemed to clue in on this by making this episode and Max’s episode in season three, team up episodes. So now today’s episode becomes a Eugene focused episode too. Which in turn allows for their character dynamic to be fleshed out more. 
We needed more interesting combinations of the mains in episodes like this one in order for the group to feel like a group. We also desperately needed to do something similar for Pascal instead of just rehashing the same plot for him over and over again. 
This Plot Point Makes No Sense
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
When I first saw this episode, I thought it was foreshadowing later developments for season three, seeing how it’s one of the few episodes in season two that connects back to season one. However, once you know the events of season three, this episode no longer makes logical sense within the greater narrative. 
For you see, Andrew and Varian have teamed up to take over Corona at the beginning of season three. Yet that begs the question of why didn’t Frederic ship them away on the prison barge as well. Varian you might could excuse being missing here given his age, but Andrew? There’s no reason to keep Andrew around; none that is given on screen anyways. 
Also this mutiny couldn’t have taken place after the Saporian take over either. For starters all the guards retreated from Corona entirely when it became evident that the Saporians were in charge. That’s a stated plot point in Rapunzel’s Return to explain why Cap is missing. There wouldn’t have been a need for a mutiny if Andrew just let all the criminals go and there’d be no reason why Andrew would send them away using his own guards. The Saporians are small in numbers and that would be a waste of manpower. 
Also, because the Saporians are outnumbered, it doesn’t make sense to send away potential allies. Lady Caine has more logical motivation to join Andrew in his take over than Varian does. She just wants revenge on Frederic and riches. She cares nothing about ruling a kingdom and holds no qualms about hurting others; so she’d be the perfect partner for Andrew’s plans. Add in the fact that she has a whole gang/small army of criminals under her command, and she could have brought along some much needed manpower. 
Lady Caine is Wasted!!!
Tumblr media
Speaking of Lady Caine, this is her final appearance in the show. Introduced in the pilot as an important character, yet given only three episodes and shoved out of the picture before the final season. And they didn’t even bother to bring up her original motivations or goals in any of her return appearances. 
Tumblr media
Chris mentioned in interviews about how he wanted to ‘defy audience perception’ and so pulled a bunch of bait and switches in the writing; but this isn’t that. This is just straight up lazy writing. There’s nothing clever about introducing a character as being important and then not using them. It’s a frustrating waste of time and a waste of a concept; not a surprising ‘gotcha’ for the audience. 
Proper set up and resolve exists in storytelling in order to get your audience invested in what is happening and then give them a satisfying pay out for their continued involvement. Modern television writers have gotten so caught up in ‘shocking’ twists that they forgot the importance of giving satisfying endings to their audience. Because if the audience isn’t satisfied they will walk away. Hooks alone are not enough to keep them around as evidenced by the series ratings drop. 
Also, Why is Weasel Here?
Tumblr media Tumblr media
I once suggested that this episode would make more sense if Max’s Enemy came before One Angry Princess in season one. Implying that Caine and the gang were sent away before Andrew’s arrest. This idea flies out the window with Anthony the Weasel here. He was last seen running away at the end of The Return of Quaid. How the hell did he wind up here? 
He had to have been arrested, put on trial, and then shipped away with the other criminals in between TRoQ and PotHS. Which just raises a whole bunch of other questions.   
How much time has passed between then and now?
What did Weasel do to get caught in Corona?
Why did it take so long to ship Caine and her gang out when it was just a matter of days for Attila to be banished? 
Why wasn’t she put on that same barge Attila was going to be put on?
If there was enough time to ship Attila and the Weasel out then there was plenty of time to ship Andrew and Varian, so why are they still in Corona?
Why is there even a prison barge to begin with? Are they just that stripped for room and man power in Corona’s dungeons?
Where does the prison barge actually go to? Does Corona own a prison island or do they have a deal with another kingdom? What is the world building behind this plot point? 
Also where the heck did Dwayne go? 
You Need Villains 
Tumblr media
In the end it doesn’t matter. This is just a lame excuse to get rid of all of the season one villians besides the Stabbingtons. Which only stick around because they’re movie originals and need to reappear and be redeemed before the wedding short; otherwise they’d be gone too. 
Which is the dumbest idea ever! Season two and even the first half of season three is devoid of any main antagonists so why are we getting rid of anyone who could potentially fulfill that role? Who’s stupid idea was this? What were they smoking? This goes against basic writing 101. There’s no story if there’s no conflict! 
Tumblr media
Eugene Has a Point
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Like there are reasons why law enforcement aren’t on call 24/7 and there are also reasons why different territories have different jurisdictions. Not complying to that undermines law and order, not upholds it.
If a police officer from the US could arrest people while on vacation in Spain, it’d be a political nightmare. Even extrication of wanted criminals who seek refuge in other countries requires permission and cooperation from those countries governments or you’d be violating international law; which potentially could be seen as an act of war. 
Also you would still send in people who are actually on duty. Right now there are protests in my country regarding the lack of accountability police officers have. Plenty of cops break the law both on and off duty because they know they can get away with because of the nepotism within the force.  Max pulling out a guide book that essentially gives Corona’s guards permission to ‘enact justice as they see fit’ while even off duty is clear case of an abuse of power, and futhers the narrative that Corona is a dictatorship/police state that persecutes it’s most vulnerable citizens. 
Tumblr media Tumblr media
The fact that the narrative then rewards this line of thought by placing Max in the right on this is just another check off in the long list of promoting authoritarian beliefs that this series teaches. People with power are held to different standards then those without. That’s just a fact of life. Having Eugene or Max acknowledge that this does break the law but is still right thing to do would be far better message and give the characters more complexity. 
Tumblr media Tumblr media
Who gets to decide what is ‘bad’ here? What is this ‘something’ they are meant to do? This rule is a gateway for corruption because it’s not clearly defined and relies too heavily on the idea that guards are naturally ‘honorable’ and good and not, you know, people. 
There’s a saying in law school. Nothing is simple and fair. If it’s simple then it’s not fair; and if it's fair then its not simple. 
Laws are complex because life is complex, people are complex, and not everything applies the same way because situations are different. That’s why we have courts. And yes, sometimes there’s too much discrepancy in sentences, leading to some people being harshly over punished while others get away with little more than a slap on the hand; but having things the other way around would still cause such discrepancy as not everyone’s experiences are equal to begin with. 
And before you say I’m reading too much into a kids show, this is a conflict that the episode itself has decided to introduce. If you wanted a simple message about doing the right thing than ‘the law’ should not have been brought up at all. Because laws are not simple, they are not universal, and they are not infallible. If the writers thought this idea too complex for their audience then they shouldn’t have introduced the idea. 
It's better to not bring up deeper subject matter at all than to introduce it and then not address it properly.  
Oh, and We Get Confirmation that Corona Speaks English, for Some Reason... 
Tumblr media
This was also hinted at this in the supplement book, My First Year As A Princess; which was suppose to replica of Rapunzel’s Diary in the show, though it’s sverealy been paired down from the original concept. 
Tumblr media
Anyways, it’s pretty much canon that everyone is indeed speaking English on screen, even though there’s no logical reason for this. Chalk it up to yet more lazy world building. 
Corona is never hinted to being a replacement for England itself. The few hints we get to it’s placement on the world map suggests it’s on the main continent of Europe and is a peninsula. Other real world languages like, French, Italian, and German are confirmed to exist, with Italy at least being a real location in this world. 
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Also we spend this whole season traveling to other kingdoms. So why would everyone speak English? This is before British and American imperialism, and before the internet, so English wouldn’t be a default secondary language for the many countries that it is today. So how does this work? 
Once again, if traveling the world is a big plot point of your story then you need to determinate where and how your main protagonist fits into that world. If they’re a princess of a kingdom then we need to know where that kingdom is in relation to the surrounding places we visit or discuss.  
Axel is Still Useless
Tumblr media
Max didn’t need a rival. This character adds nothing to the over all story and is one villain/character too many in an already overstuffed series. I don’t mind the idea of pairing down some of the minions and other background characters. I just take issue with getting rid of all of the villains. Particularly interesting ones that could have done more, like Weasel or Lady Caine. 
The Very Existence of Lady Caine Undermines Both Rapunzel’s and Cassandra’s Arcs
Tumblr media
So the series wants to present this idea that Rapunzel is compassionate and is all about giving second chances, yet Caine, one of the most sympathetic villains in the show next to Varian, is given zero chance at all. The show is too busy trying to make Rapunzel look ‘bad ass’ by easily taking down an seemingly equal badass female villain, that doesn’t stop to think about the implications of this conflict. 
The series fails because the only people Rapunzel redeems are people that she needs something from. She needs Styalan to gain the Eye of Pincosta. She needs Varian to help defeat the Saporians and ease her bruised ego. She needs Cassandra because she’s her best friend and it hurts her personally for them to no longer be friends. None of the redemptions in the show are actually about the characters who are redeeming themselves, it’s about their effect on Rapunzel’s personal life. 
But placing Rapunzel’s personal feelings above what other characters actually need is the opposite of compassion. It’s selfishness. It doesn’t make Rapunzel the focus of the story it just makes her look like an ass. 
Moreover Lady Caine’s arc is directly tied to Corona’s corrupt legal system. Rapunzel can’t be this purveyor of change if she and the show never acknowledges why the system must change to begin with. 
Last off, Cassandra’s arc is then diminished by the existence of more sympathetic villains like Caine and Varian. They have more reason to do the things they do, and their actions connect back to their goals. Cass doing worst things for less reason, and then getting away with less punishment than them, is a slap in the face to the viewers. It turns her from a likeable character to an unbearable twat, and makes her later redemption a product of nepotism rather than act of agency on her part. 
Everyone is ill served by writing Caine out and not giving her a conclusion to her personal conflict. Rapunzel, Cassandra, Frederic, and Lady Caine herself are all denied a chance to grow as characters and that’s infuriating to watch. 
Also Yes, This Episode was a Big Missed Opportunity to Add Urgency to the Plot
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
As previously mentioned, season two needed an ongoing external conflict. Anyone of the villains on the ship could have been the main antagonist of the second half of the season. Just have the person in question escape in the confusion, or overthrow the new crew of the ship a second time. Then have them show up later looking for a fight. 
My money is on Lady Caine, but the Stabbingtons or Weasel could have done just a well. Caine wants revenge on Rapunzel. The Stabbingtons are after Eugene. Weasel wants power and riches, so capturing the princess and holding her for ransom could have been a goal. Then have them learn about this hidden power then voila you gotta a set up for a race to the end of the quest.  
You also could just picked an underling at random and then elevated them to main villain by giving them a good goal and a backstory. 
Also finally, Andrew and/or Varian, we’re options that they could have added in here. Varian more so than anybody else as he already has reason to go after the moonstone because his father. 
Heck, you still could have added Varian and not made him the villain if you didn’t want to. This could have been the start of his redemption arc instead, and one of the previously mentioned villains,a Brotherhood member, or one of Zhan Tiri’s Disciples could have still served as the main antagonist. 
In short, most of the problems with Tangled’s story are really easy fixes and the writers had multiple options at their disposal that they didn’t take. Which is just further evidence to last minute rewrites and Chris and Ben’s missamangment. 
Conclusion    
I enjoy this episode because it’s one of the few to tie back into season one, but it’s is a missed opportunity and it is a shame that it went nowhere. 
68 notes · View notes
Note
here's an idea: geraskier!tangled au. jaskier as rapunzel and geralt as flynn. just thought since in the film, she has brown hair but it's blonde bc of magic and magic healing song. like how jaskier is blonde in the books but every adaptation has him as a brunette. also jaskier with long blonde magic hair is a cute image lol
ask and ye shall receive
---
Geralt and his buddies steal the Princess’s crown
Roach obviously takes the place of Maximus
The two evil bandit brothers are now Eskel and Lambert (sorry boys you are the victims of convenience)
Jaskier is kidnapped and imprisoned by Mother Gothel in the tower (I like fairytales so we’re keeping this one original detail, for me)
His hair grows so long that she can climb up and down it like a ladder
For Jaskier’s birthday he asks for a new lute, which she must travel three days to buy at the Elven market
Geralt comes upon the tower on accident
“Something brought you here, Geralt of Rivia...Fate, Destiny...”
“A horse.”
They get up to the same hijinx as in the movie and this version of Flynn!Geralt is still pretty much just motivated by money
“I have a dream” song and dance stays exactly. the. same. I’m not going to mess with brilliance.
Geralt is injured escaping the guards at the pub and Jaskier uses his magic hair to heal him
Geralt is terrified but also very impressed
They exchange secrets; Jaskier with his hair and Geralt with his real name: Eric Roger du Haute-Bellegard
Gothel give Jaskier the crown and says that if Geralt is so great, he’ll stick around when he still has the jewelry
Jaskier doesn’t give it to him, still too self-conscious and distrusting to lose Geralt yet
They get to town and have a good time and fall in love just a little (a lot) a bit
They do the lantern thing together and realize just how well they get along
“And at last the fog has lifted...”
Jaskier realizes that Geralt really cares for him and gives the bandit the crown back
Geralt sees the Evil Boys waiting for him and goes ashore to give them the crown back so he can stay with Jaskier
Gothel knocks them all out and ties Geralt to the boat just like in the movie
Geralt is captured, Jaskier is betrayed and heartbroken
The bad guys come to Geralt’s rescue because they REALLY like Jaskier and his singing and his boisterous attitude
And if that means helping out the grumpy thief then so be it
Roach saves the day by riding as fast as possible to the tower
Geralt is fatally wounded in his attempt to rescue Jaskier from Gothel and Jaskier begs to be allowed to save his life
Gothel cuffing Geralt to the stairs 👌
Geralt bleeding and being heroic  👌
Jaskier crying over his supposedly dead body moments after Geralt has cut off all his magic hair, freeing him and killing his captor in the process  👌
Whump  👌
Geralt waking up because Jaskier’s magical tear healed his wound and stopped the bleeding  👌
True Love’s Kiss
Jaskier is reunited with his parents, the King and Queen, because they recognize the exact shade of his bright blue eyes
Geralt has a family now
Roachie girl gets totally spoiled for being a great Disney animal sidekick
Happily Ever After
64 notes · View notes
angelsswirl · 4 years ago
Text
Been Through
Chapter 4: Must be confused about me
Tumblr media
Get ya, get ya, get ya shit together. Girl, I got 20/20 vision, and that's the reason I'ma keep my distance.
"I'm on my way to work now. Just dropped Lily off at preschool......Yes, Mom. I vetted the school extensively. She was on the waiting list since she was 2, so it better be worth it.....Okay. I have to go. Yes....I love you too."
You sighed heavily as you removed the phone from your ear.
Your mother, bless her heart, had a affinity for calling you at inopportune times, such as this one.
You were running late for a meeting. You don't like to blame your problems on your daughter, but this one was definitely her fault. After only two and half hours she had gotten attached to both Lisa and Jennie (you wish she would have just picked one and made this easier for you) and proceeded to have a mental breakdown when they eventually had to leave.
That mental break had caused the both of you to lose sleep, which meant you slept right through your alarm, causing Lily to be late for the one day a week that she went to preschool, and making you late for work.
And you hated being late for anything.
So, This was all your daughter's fault.
"Howdy, Boss." Your assistant, Max, greeted you as you trudged into your office. He handed you a warm cup of coffee. You took a sip, letting out a satisfied noise.
"Thanks, Max. I needed this."
He smiled, happy to be of service, "No problem, Boss."
You rolled your eyes, "Didn't I tell you to stop calling me 'Boss'? I'm a publisher who works for a publishing firm, I'm not the owner of this building. I don't sign your checks. That's the boss."
Max just shrugged happily. The beta was always infuriatingly happy.
"And stop saying 'howdy'. It makes me upset."
"You got it, Bos-Mrs. Y/LN."
You sat at your desk with another eye roll, "Maxwell. You know I'm not married. Just call me Y/N."
"But-"
"Aht! Call me Y/N."
You glared at the poor boy until he nodded back. You could feel a migraine sneaking up the back of your skull. After mumbling something unladylike in Korean, you set about turning on your computer.
"So, what's on the agenda today, Max-a-million?"
The twenty year old perked up at the question. The weirdo loved organizing and things of the sort. You're pretty sure his favorite part of the work day was when you asked him what you were supposed to be doing.
"Today is Tuesday. You've got a meeting with the boss in twenty minutes. Then, you have a manuscript in your email that I forwarded you. It needs to be approved by lunch. And by then it will be time to pick up Lily, and you can leave for the day."
You nodded slowly, "If a full manuscript needs to be approved in three hours why did you just now send it to me today?"
Max gulped, you watched his Adam's apple bobble in his throat. You felt bad at the look of pure fear on his face.
"I um...I'm sorry. It was only sent to me this morning. I was told that you already knew about it."
You wracked your brain for any mention of a manuscript approval by absolutely anyone you had ever had a conversation with.
You turned to Max, the headache was shifting forward towards your eyes, "No one told me anything. Ugh! Fine. I'll just have to skim. You can go back to your desk. Thanks, Maximus."
The boy scurried out of your office.
You sighed, then opened your email to locate the manuscript.
It was the last email you had been sent, you hurried to click it open and download it onto your computer.
It looked like a normal manuscript. No frilly font. No decorative cover. Just bare and unblemished. Just how you liked it.
Rosès Are Pink
Though, it had an absolutely shit title. That was an easy fix as long as the author didn't get attached.
Speaking of the author. You could tell it was a pen name. C.R. Park. There was no telling who that could be. But if you approved this manuscript then you'd probably be getting to know them a whole lot more.
You read the first line and frowned. Then you read the next. And the next. And the next. And soon your were through the first five chapters. The frown soon turned into an angry glare.
You dug into your cardigan pocket for your phone. You pulled it out and dialed a increasingly familiar number.
"Hel-"
"WHAT THE FUCK?!"
"Good morning to you too, Y/N. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE WRITING A BOOK?!"
"I didn't think I needed to?"
"Of course you fucking needed to. I'M IN IT."
"How do you even know that?"
"YOU FUCKING SENT IT TO ME!"
"You can stop yelling now."
"Boss? Are you okay?"
"GET. OUT. MAXIMUM."
"Yes, ma'am."
"I would like to reiterate that I didn't send anything to you. My managers probably did."
"What's the difference? You know I'm a publisher. I was bound to hear of it eventually." You wiped a frustrated hand down your face.
"What's the big deal, Y/N? Did you even read the manuscript?"
"Not all of it."
"Did you like it?"
"Chae, it's magnificent."
"So, what's the problem?
A heavy sigh left your mouth, and with it, your shoulders sag, "I-do you really want to put all of BP's business out there like that?" 'Do you really want to put all of BP's business with me out there like that' is what was really being asked.
"Yeah. The girls and I talked about it for weeks. The group is slowing down and we haven't liked the idea of lying by omission to our fans for awhile now. And I like to write. You don't have to worry anymore. " You could practically hear Chaeyoung's shrug.
"Okay. If you're sure. I hate the title."
Chaeyoung giggled, "So does Lisa. I'll let you fix it. Besides, it's not finished yet."
"You sent me an unfinished manuscript?"
"It doesn't have its happy ending yet."
"And what will that be?"
Chaeyoung paused for a second, "...You tell me."
~~~
"Mommy!" Lily bounded into your arms as soon as she saw you.
You brushed the brunette locks from her eyes and kissed her on the forehead, "Hello, my beautiful baby girl. How was your day today?"
"Good. Miss Taylor let us paint." She bounced in your arms, a semi damp peice of paper in her hands that she wouldn't let you see.
"That sounds like fun. What did you paint?"
"Families."
"Oh?"
"We see Lisa and Jennie today?"
I hope not.
"Not today, sweetheart."
"Oh."
You thought back to the previous day. Lisa was bonding with your kid while you were making out with Jennie on your bed....yep, sounds like you. You had been fine with that turn of events until you stopped kissing Jennie. Well, she stopped kissing you.
She stopped kissing you like she had suddenly remembered she left the stove on at home. You shared a very weird look before she pretty much ran out of your room like a terrified puppy. Or probably, more accurately, someone who just realized they made a mistake.
So, yeah. Now, you weren't so fine with the kiss and you could deal without seeing either of them for a good month.
"Mommy? Why don't I have a daddy or other mommy like the other kids?"
Your kid is trying to kill you. Hmm. What an ironic way to go out.
"Sometimes, kids only have one daddy, or one mommy. Some don't have either at all. But that doesn't make them different or any less special."
"Oh. Okay, " Lily laid her head down softly on your chest. "But I want another mommy. I don't like daddies."
"And you're absolutely valid for that. Mommy doesn't like daddies either."
"I want Jennie or Lisa to be my other mommy."
You had been so close to dodging the fattest bullet in parenting history, but no, your kid really did want you dead.
"We'll see, Dancing Queen. We'll see."
30 notes · View notes
lateknightsimmer · 4 years ago
Text
Sims Tag Game
Rules:
Pick a sim of your choice
Tell us about them
Tag someone else (if you want to!)
I was tagged by @lilyshadowwriter to do the Sims Tag Game. Aww, haha, my first little thing I’ve been tagged in since I started paying attention to my Tumblr again. Thanks! You’re a sweetie. I’ll tag @freckled-pixels because I ♥ wuv her. LOL.
I’m choosing my Generation 3 heir from Echoes of Eternity, the current generation I’m writing.
Tumblr media
Name: Armand Decimus Hunt
When is your sim’s birthday? Mimicking LilyShadow here, I’m a bad Sim Mom. I have a super nerdy reference sheet of everyone’s ages, from Generation 1 - Generation 3 (both main and supporting characters, yes like I said I’m super nerdy), but I didn’t give them any specific birthdays. I do know that as of the most recent chapter, Armand is 22.
What is your sim’s zodiac sign? *has to go in game to look it up* *pretty sure I just randomized it* *so if Armand’s personality that I wrote has nothing to do with his zodiac sign, that’s fucking why* ----  VIRGO.
Marital Status: Single.
Does your sim have any nicknames? No. I have bad RL experiences with nicknames, so I tend to not nickname my Sims either. Unless it’s like an obvious shortening that’s something like Maximus (my legacy founder), and he gets called Max. But no nicknames like he has a quirk, so he gets a nickname. None of that shit. LOL. Armand’s name is two syllables and calling him “Arm” or “And” just sounds stupid. LOL.
Do they have a job? Armand just graduated from college, and he is still looking for a job.
Where does your sim live? Armand lives in this three story split level house in Twinbrook, Louisiana.
Tumblr media
Who does your sim live with? Armand lives with his best friend, Remy, a Louisiana native.
What environment did your sim grow up in? Armand had a neglectful, spiteful mother, and a kind, loving father. They couldn’t have been more polar opposite from each other. Literal environment wise, Armand grew up in Silicon Shores, California.
What is your sim’s favorite food? *goes in game again to look because doesn’t know* *again probably randomized* *shitty Sim Mom, knows it* --- GRILLED SALMON. Armand is damn fancy.
What is your sim’s favorite drink? Alcohol - Armand likes screwdrivers, they’re pretty simple yet delicious. Non-Alcohol - Armand likes 2% milk.
If they have one, what is your sim’s favorite color? *goes in game again* *doesn’t know* *you know the drill now* --- LIME.
Is your sim introverted or extroverted? Introverted.
Tumblr media
What is your sims favorite woohoo position? Armand enjoys being on top of the girl he’s woohoo-ing with so he can see her reactions. He wants his partner to have ultimate pleasure, and the girl’s face often reflects whether the pleasure is there or not.
Is your sim a pet person? No. Armand is often lost in thought in his head, he’s self-aware, but he has a lot of things to think about. He doesn’t really want to put his mind in a place where he might accidently neglect a pet just because he’s spacing off about something.
Does your sim have a best friend? Yes, Armand’s best friend is also his roommate, Remy.
What is / was your sim’s favorite school subject? Art class, anything that has to do with painting, drawing, or sketching.
Are they planning to go or have they already been to college? Armand just graduated from college. He’s been done for about a month.
Does your sim have a favorite TV show? Armand likes Penn & Teller’s Fool Us. It’s a magic show where Penn & Teller try to guess how a magician does his trick. They also give magicians whose tricks they cannot guess a chance to perform at their venue in Las Vegas. This is Armand’s favorite show because it reminds him of his father (a magician), whom he loves and adores dearly.
Does your sim like books? Armand has mixed feelings about books. On one hand, they remind him of his terrible mother, but it’s not like he won’t touch the things. The memories suck, but he did read his textbooks when he needed to for college. However, he wouldn’t turn to books for fun.
Tumblr media
What is your sim’s personal style? Armand has a bit of a rock star style, he has some shirts that are ripped in just the right places, and he’s not afraid to wear something that looks a little messy. Armand’s family has a dark hot pink hair gene, started from his great-grandfather, Alexander Hunt, which makes Armand not shy away from bright colors in his outfits.
Is your sim religious? Not really. Patrick (Armand’s father) raised Armand with good values, but they weren’t tied to religious ideals. Although some of them might have similar ideals, like treat others with kindness and respect, it wasn’t religion that was the driving force behind it.
What kind of music does your sim listen to? Armand likes when he plays the guitar, although he hasn’t written anything himself, he does like what he plays. He also likes pop music, like the song Ghost by Ella Henderson.
What is your sim’s favorite type of weather? Armand likes California weather, sunshine, a light breeze, 70s for the high, 40s for the low. He doesn’t like a lot of humidity, he’s finding out as he lives in Louisiana for now. LOL.
Does your sim have a dream job? Armand would love to paint and be a famous artist, selling his art to high end galleries. He just wants to let his creativity out and be paid for it. LOL.
Does your sim have any siblings? No. Armand’s parents didn’t get along very well after he was born, so they never came together long enough to make or want to make any siblings for their son.
Tumblr media
Does your sim get along with their family? Yes and no. Armand’s always gotten along with his father, grandfather, and grandmother. He never got along with his mother, who is now deceased. He does get along with his new step-mother.
What is your sims favorite hobby? Armand loves to sing and play his guitar.
What does your sim look for in a romantic partner? For now, Armand has just been playing the field, he’s slept with a few women without searching too hard for romance. All he knows is he doesn’t want anyone who remotely resembles his crazy dead mother. 
What is a flaw your sim has? Armand has a traumatic past so he has a bad habit of getting into cycles where his brain makes him think he hates himself and that he’s worthless. He knows at this point that none of that is true, and he’s working on it.
Does your sim have a greatest achievement? Armand is still young and he has his whole life ahead of him, but he would probably say his greatest achievement for now, is that he was able to overcome the bad memories that he associated with his childhood home. He recently visited his parents’ home for Thanksgiving break and he was able to feel happy while being in that house, which is something he’d never been able to do until now.
If they have one, what is your sim’s greatest regret? Armand’s mom died young, and their relationship had always been super shitty. His regret is that he couldn’t patch things up with her (if that was even possible) while she was alive.
Wooo! Thanks for tagging me! ♥ This was great fun.
6 notes · View notes