#truly a theme fitting for someone willing to kill children and to kill his own son in a heartbeat if it could benefit him

[colorful-bees]

just went and listened to the usum version of ghetsis’ battle theme and it’s actually got me feeling like this image

like. you mentioned the whips cracking. you didn’t mention the way it sounds like pure bloodlust. i don’t know what it is about it but it sounds like sheer hatred and evil. it doesn’t even sound like a pokémon boss theme. it sounds like the song itself is trying to kill me. and like it could. this is a ghetsis theme with a PUNCH to it. i am viscerally uncomfortable just listening. and i LOVE it. what on earth did they put in it. that is the definitive version of his theme now

IT'S SUCH A GOOD THEME. They somehow manage to make it sound more threatening than the original which is a feat. And it fits so well with the context being that this Ghetsis won in the world he came from. The song itself just sounds cruel, it's perfectly fitting for the version of him who succeeded in conquering Unova.

Just everything about it fills you with this sense of dread that you got from the original but it feels so much more intense here. Every time I listen to it, it makes my skin crawl, it's so great.

[killianmesmalls]

On your comments about Jack: ye-es, in the sense that Jack is a character who definitely deserved better than he was treated by the characters. The way Dean especially treats him reflects very badly on Dean, no question. But, speaking as a viewer, I think the perspective needs to shift a little bit.

To me, Jack is Dawn from Buffy, or Scrappy Doo. He’s an (in my opinion) irritating kid who is introduced out of nowhere to be both super vulnerable and super OP, and the jeopardy is centered around him in a way that has nothing to do with his actual character or relationships. He’s mostly around to be cute and to solve or create problems — he never has any firm character arcs or goals of his own, nor any deeper purpose in the meta narrative. In this way, he’s a miss for SPN, which focuses heavily on conflicts as metaphors for real life.

Mary fits so much better in that framework, and introducing her as a developed, flawed person works really well with the narrative. It is easy for us to care about Mary, both as the dead perfect mother on the pedestal and as the flawed, human woman who could not live up to her sons’ expectations. That connection is built into the core of SPN, and was developed over years, even before she was a character. When she was added, she was given depth and nuance organically, and treated as a flawed, complex character rather than as a plot device or a contrivance. She was given a voice and independence, and became a powerful metaphor for developing new understandings of our parents in adulthood, as well as an interesting and well-rounded character. You care that she’s dead, not just because Sam and Dean are sad, but for the loss of her development and the potential she offered. So, in that sense, I think a lot of people were frustrated that she died essentially fridged for a second time, and especially in service of the arc of a weaker character.

And like, you’re right, no one can figure out if Jack is a toddler or a teenager. He’s both and he’s neither, because he’s never anything consistently and his character arc is always “whatever the plot needs it to be.” Every episode is different. Is he Dean’s sunny opportunity to be a parent and make up for his dad’s shitty parenting? Yes! Is he also Dean’s worst failure and a reminder that he has done many horrible things, including to “innocent” children? Yes! Is he Cas’s child? Yes! Is he Dean’s child? Yes! But also, no! Is he Sam’s child? Yes! Is he a lonely teenager who does terrible things? Yes! Is he a totally innocent little lamb who doesn’t get why what he is doing is wrong? Yes! Is he the most powerful being in the universe? Yes! Does he need everyone to take care of him? Yes! Is he just along for the ride? Yes! Is he responsible for his actions? Kinda??? Sometimes??? What is he???

Mary as a character is narratively cohesive and fleshed-out. Jack is a mishmash of confusing whatever’s that all add up to a frustrating plot device with no consistent traits to latch on to. Everything that fans like about him (cute outfits, gender play, well-developed parental bonds with the characters) is fanon. So, yes, the narrative prioritizes Mary. Many fans prioritize Mary, at least enough that Dean’s most heinous acts barely register. To the narrative (not to Cas, which is a totally different situation), Jack is only barely more of a character than Emma Winchester, who Sam killed without uproar seasons earlier. He’s been around longer, but he’s equally not really real.

I debated on responding to this because, to tell the truth, I think we fundamentally disagree on a number of subjects and, as they say, true insanity is arguing with anyone on the internet. However, you spent a lot of time on the above and I feel it's only fair to say my thoughts, even if I don't believe it will sway you any more than what you said changed my opinions.

I'm assuming this was in response to this post regarding how Jack's accidental killing of Mary was treated so severely by the brothers, particularly Dean, because it was Mary and, had it been a random character like the security guard in 13x06, it would have been treated far differently. However, then the argument becomes less about the reaction of the Winchester brothers to this incident and more the value of Jack or Mary to the audience.

I believe we need to first admit that both characters are inherently archetypes—Mary as the Madonna character initially then, later, as a metaphor for how imperfect and truly human our parents are compared to the idol we have as children, and Jack as the overpowered child who is a Jesus allegory by the end. Both have a function within the story to serve the Winchester brothers, through whose lens and with whose biases we are meant to view the show's events. We also need to admit that the writers didn't think more than a season ahead for either character, especially since it wasn't initially supposed to be Mary that came back at the end of season 11 but John, and they only wrote enough for Jack in season 13 to gauge whether or not the audience would want him to continue on or if he needed to be killed off by the end of the season. Now, I know we curate our own experiences online which leads to us being in our own fandom echo chambers, however it is important to note that the character was immediately successful enough with the general audience that, after his first episode or two, he was basically guaranteed a longer future on the show.

I have to admit, I’m not entirely sure why the perspective of how his character is processed by some audience members versus others has any bearing on the argument that he deserved to be treated better overall by the other characters especially when taking their own previous actions in mind. I’m not going to tell you that your opinion is wrong regarding your feelings for Jack. It’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it, it harms no one to have it and express it. My feelings on Jack are clearly very different from your own, but this is really just two different people who processed a fictional person in different ways. I personally believe he has a purpose in the Winchesters’ story, including Castiel’s, as he reflects certain aspects of all of them, gives them a way to explore their own histories through a different perspective, and changes the overall dynamic of Team Free Will from “soldiers in arms” to a family (Misha’s words). In the beginning he allows Sam to work through his past as the “freak” and powerful, dangerous boy wonder destined to bring hell on earth. With Dean, his presence lets Dean work through his issues with John and asks whether he will let history repeat itself or if he’ll work to break the cycle. Regarding Cas, in my opinion he helps the angel reach his “final form” of a father, member of a family, lover and protector of humanity, rebellious son, and the true show of free will. 

From strictly the story, he has several arcs that work within themes explored in Supernatural, such as the argument of nature versus nurture, the question of what we’re willing to give up in order to protect something or someone else and how ends justify the means, and the struggle between feeling helpless and powerless versus the corruptive nature of having too much power and the dangerous lack of a moral compass. His goals are mentioned and on display throughout his stint on the show, ones that are truly relatable to some viewers: the strong desire to belong—the need for family and what you’ll do to find and keep it. 

With Mary, we first need to establish whether the two versions of her were a writing flaw due to the constant change in who was dictating her story and her relationship to the boys, which goes against the idea that her characterization was cohesive and fleshed-out but, rather, put together when needed for convenience, or if they both exist because, as stated above, we are seeing the show primarily through the biased lens of the Winchester brothers and come to face facts about the true Mary as they do. Like I said in my previous post, I don’t dislike Mary and I don’t blame her for her death (either one). However, I do have a hard time seeing her as a more nuanced, fleshed-out character than Jack. True, a lot of her problems are more adult in nature considering she has to struggle with losing her sons’ formative years and meeting them as whole adults she knows almost nothing about, all because of a choice she made before they were born. 

However, her personal struggles being more “mature” in nature (as they center primarily on parental battles) doesn’t necessarily mean her story has layers and Jack’s does not. They are entirely different but sometimes interconnected in a way that adds to both of their arcs, like Mary taking Jack on as an adoptive son which gives her the moments of parenting she lost with Sam and Dean, and Jack having Mary as a parental figure who understands and supports him gives him that sense of belonging he had just been struggling with to the point of running away while he is also given the chance to show “even monsters can do good”. 

I’d also argue that Jack being many ages at once isn’t poor writing so much as a metaphor for how, even if you’re forced to grow up fast, that doesn’t mean you’re a fully equipped adult. I don’t want to speak for anyone else, but I believe Jack simultaneously taking a lot of responsibility and constantly trying to prove to others he’s useful while having childish moments is relatable to some who were forced to play an adult role at a young age. He proves a number of times that he doesn’t need everyone to take care of him, but he also has limited life experience and, as such, will make some mistakes while he’s also being a valuable member of the group. Jack constantly exists on a fine line in multiple respects. Some may see that as a writing flaw but it is who the character was conceived to be: the balance between nature or nurture, between good and evil, between savior and devil. 

Now, I was also frustrated Mary was “fridged” for a second time. It really provided no other purpose than to give the brothers more man pain to further the plot along. However, this can exist while also acknowledging that the way it happened and the subsequent fallout for Jack was also unnecessary and a sign of blatant hypocrisy from Dean, primarily, and Sam. 

And, yes, Jack can be different things at once because, I mean, can’t we all? If Mary can be both the perfect mother and the flawed, independent, distant parent, can’t Jack be the sweet kid who helps his father-figures process their own feelings on fatherhood while also being a lost young-adult forcing them to face their failures? Both characters contain multitudes because, I mean, we all do. 

I can provide articles or posts on Jack’s characterization and popularity along with Mary’s if needed, but for now I think this is a long enough ramble on my thoughts and feelings. I’m happy to discuss more, my messenger is always open for (polite) discussion. Until then, I’m going to leave it at we maybe agree to disagree. 

[mmikmmik2]

I’ve been thinking about it and kinda feel like Simon dying in the specific manner of being killed by a ghom seems like the only possible ending by process of elimination, not because it’s extremely thematically appropriate.

I loved Simon’s tragic storyline of rejecting change and responsibility. I thought it was a great story, a great accompaniment to Grace’s story, and a fitting ending. I do think it becomes kind of hard to end it without him dying while still maintaining the sad-but-hopeful tone of the season finale, because if it ends with him alive but still that committed to his ideals and unwilling to change himself (which again, I like that it did, and I like that even Grace saving his life didn’t change him because it showed there truly was nothing she could have done to make him change if he wasn’t willing to make that choice himself), then he’d still be an ongoing threat to Grace and the children and every other person on the train. He’d be angrier and more violent than ever. I am not willing to say he “should” have died, morally speaking, because if we’re playing with hypotheticals then he should have been able to leave the train because it wasn’t a good environment for his mental health, he and Grace both should have had a robust support structure of peers and older adults that could give them space from each other and help them heal, etc etc. But narratively speaking, without him dying it’s hard to avoid him looming like a boogeyman over Grace and the Apex’s hopeful ending, knowing that he’d still be out there senselessly hurting people after the credits rolled.

Grace couldn’t have been the one to kill him. Now: Grace knew for a fact that he was executing a premeditated plan to murder her (what do we do with voids? we wheel them!), despite her never having been a physical danger to him in any way; he was forcing her to fight on a catwalk above a lethal drop so one of them could have been killed at any moment; it is not plausible to me that Grace could have fought with a restrained goal like “incapacitate Simon” or “escape” without compromising her own safety. So morally speaking, it would have been fully justified self defense for Grace to fight back with intent to kill during their duel, just like Lake killing those cops was fully justified self defense.

But it wouldn’t make sense for Grace’s character arc for her to make that difficult calculation. She was not emotionally in a place where she would have been willing to do that. It also would have hurt Grace and frightened and confused the Apex kids in a way that, again, wouldn’t have suited the sad-but-hopeful tone of the finale. As is, Grace can find solace knowing that on that day she did everything she possibly could to help Simon, and the Apex kids know they can trust Grace not to hurt anyone and saw her modeling peaceful de-escalation and valuing the life of an enemy (which is a lesson they needed after Grace and Simon teaching them to be violent little monsters for so long).

And most importantly from the sense of theme, Grace’s actions could not determine Simon’s ending. It would have broken the story if he died “because” of Grace, even if it was unintentional on her part. (As is, he kinda died despite Grace.)

So Grace can’t kill him, the Apex kids are more important as a plot device than as characters and we barely know anything about any of them and it would be messed up for young children who looked up to Simon to cause his death, Amelia and Hazel have exited stage right, Tuba’s dead, Samantha wouldn’t hurt Simon, there’s no other important characters this season who could feasibly be there or intervene... what’s left? It has to be Simon himself, right? It always needed to be caused by his own actions.

I think it would have made more sense for Simon to fall off the train because of his own actions. It’s more fitting as a foreseeable consequence and it’s very... hoist by his own petard.

But the moment of Grace saving him from falling, and him subsequently attacking her anyway, was super super important and had to happen. Can’t cut that. But if Simon falls, and then Grace saves him, and then he kicks her under the wheels, and then the origami denizens save her, and then Simon falls under the wheels... it gets kinda... slapstick. It’s hard to picture how to storyboard that without it coming off as a little silly. Like, oh jeez, they’re falling again. I’m imagining people making joke comics where someone else saves Simon and then it continues for a few more cycles. I dunno, maybe I’m misreading the situation, but it feels like the ghom showed up to kill him to preserve the dramatic effect.

I guess it’s still Simon’s actions because he chose to keep trying to fight Grace even when the ghom showed up and he chose to kick Grace off the bridge so she wasn’t close enough to save him like she would’ve if she could have. He put himself in a situation where he was endangered by the ghom. But even though ghoms are basically mindless monsters, they still feel too, uh, active? for it to really feel as direct as it could have. Like the ghom has enough agency that it doesn’t feel as much like a result of Simon’s actions as it would if Simon fell off the train on his own or whatever.

I’m not ruling out that I’m missing something, especially since Simon has a past with ghoms (also Grace saving him - more him dying despite Grace, maybe?), but that’s how I’m feeling right now.

[solasan]

🧱💍🌱👗 for jessamine?

headcanon prompts:

jessamine mayweather:

[ 🧱 ] how would you describe your muses’ morality? what are their core values?:

jessamine's morality isn't as cut-and-dry as your regular person's might be, but i figure she's in good company in the van der linde gang on that front shdjkds. her biggest no-no is hurting innocents, especially children, and she's much less likely to fight a woman than she is a man, if only because she's got some pretty heavily man-hating views dhsdjk. she's pretty selfish when it comes to money etc but if she sees, say, a starving kid begging for food, or a woman who looks to be working in the s*x industry like she used to and seems to be struggling— yeah, she'll probably give them something, if she can. she has her own code of honour that way; i'd say she's probably more chaotic neutral than anything else, because she hates authority and delights in fucking over powerful people, but it's not like she has no laws that she holds to herself. they're just usually self-determined?

she's definitely kinder than she seems. very protective of the women in camp. willing to throw down with micah over his treatment of them, but also willing to throw down with racists for similar reasons; she hates to see a person punching down. she's kind of like if sera dragonage was like... a bit more put-together, a bit angrier, and a lot colder. at first glance she seems pretty chaotic, but once you've figured out how she thinks, she's pretty predictable. her goodness has charles very 🥺, and i think he's probably one of the first people in the camp to really take note of it.

[ 💍 ] does your muse have a “type” of people that they prefer to enter relationships with? is their type generally compatible with them, or does the dynamic tend to be toxic?

i think if you asked her this question, she'd say no. when it comes to 'relationships', she hadn't really had one before charles, because she doesn't consider her clients to be relationships. but i'd say that yes she does have a type, and that type is just... gentleness. kindness. charles and her are very well suited to each other in that way; he's the first truly kind man she's ever been involved with, and one of the few that she's even met, and though things are... bumpy when they get together, because she doesn't trust that kindness, it's really the only kind of relationship she could ever allow herself to have. she's had such a shit time of it lmao she needs... she needs comfort, and that's bred by gentleness and goodness, to her mind.

[ 🌱 ] what themes are relevant to your muse?

hm. i'd say jessamine's biggest theme is love, but not necessarily romantic love? moreso learning to let herself love, whether that be loving the world, loving her friends, or loving charles. i think justice fits into her arc quite neatly, too; i was initially thinking vengeance more than justice, but as i think about it more, i'm not sure that's true. maybe the move from vengeance to justice? she's very angry about what happened to her, and during the course of the game's events does come face-to-face with the client that almost killed her. he... doesn't leave that encounter alive, but that's because he's literally beating the shit out of some other poor woman at the time, and jessa refuses to let that happen to someone else on her watch. i think the transformation from vengeance to justice throughout her arc is one of her bigger themes, too.

[ 👗 ] what is your muse’s fashion sense like? are they able to dress the way they want to? what would they wear in an ideal world?

BLUE BLUE BLUE!!! faded blues and creams and whites, kind of dusty shades. a surprising amount of lace for how little money she has, but i'd say most of her clothes are either old or stolen shdsj. around camp she wears a lot of long blue skirts and white / cream blouses, but while out riding or on a job she'll wear trousers. probably brown ones, with blue blouses tucked into them and a lot of belts looped around her hips and waist. in an ideal world (i.e. the nice retirement her and charles eventually get in canada) the fabrics would probably be nicer, and there'd be fewer holes and patches on her clothes, but for the most part she wears whatever she wants, because who's gonna stop her, yknow?

[star-spangled-eyes]

Dirty Mind: Part 1: Simple Man

This alternate universe fan fiction uses characters created and owned by Pixelberry Studios. Character names, descriptions and likenesses are owned by Pixelberry Studios. Some dialogue and events in Book 1 of TRR are property of Pixelberry Studios. The MC, Bragnae Bennett, and story is created and owned by this author.

Book: The Royal Romance (Alternate Universe)

Alternate Universe Theme: Drake’s perspective  

Pairing: Drake Walker x MC (Bragnae Bennett – *pronounced Brawn-yah)

Warnings for this miniseries: NSFW, Adult content, suggestive and strong language, angst, sex (including character’s thoughts and innuendos)

Masterlist

A/N: I wrote this miniseries in the first person perspective of Drake Walker. It follows events in Book 1 of TRR, but not everything is as you’d remember it from the story. Some things have been altered to better fit this fanfic.

I really enjoyed getting into the brain of Drake, and I hope you like it too. He’s a stud, and I love his sexual, angsty mind.

There are THREE parts to this miniseries. They will be released tomorrow and the following day. Enjoy!

Word Count for this chapter: 8707

Permatags: @burnsoslow @cora-nova @dcbbw @thorfosterlove @emceesynonymroll @edgiestwinter @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @msjr0119 @notoriouscs @drakewalker04 @pedudley @desiree-0816 @choices-lurker @kingliam2019 @loveellamae @drakexnadira @flutistbyday2020 @indiana-jr​ @yukinagato2012​ @i-bloody-love-drake-walker​

My name is Drake Walker and I have a dirty mind. I know what you’re thinking. Of course I have a dirty mind, I’m a guy, right? Well, I have to concede that one for that very fact, but it’s more than that. To me, a mind consists of three major influences that can make it dirty.

First, are the things you wish you could say to people, but it wouldn’t be proper including the wide variety of curse words known to the world. Next, are all the crappy experiences in your life that muddy up your outlook. I can admit, I’m snarky, angry a lot and a real pill sometimes, but it all comes with the territory. And last but certainly not least is sex.

What an incredible experience. So incredible that it’s constantly on my mind. Countless dirty questions fill my brain like when is the next time I’m going to fuck someone, where will it be, what position will she be in? Oh, the thoughts are endless. Throw in a particular woman? You’re fucked — mentally. That’s me right now, in case you were wondering. More on that in a bit.

The female body is the most beautiful work of art that God ever created — of course there are exceptions. Like when a woman has a smoking hot body but her personality is so hideous that her sex appeal is lost. At least to me it is. There’s plenty of those around, but thankfully, there are some that surprise you. The ones that have it all — endless talent, sense of humor, dazzling personality, and such stunning looks that you have to pinch yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming.

My brain has been working overtime ever since she walked into my life. Well, butted into my life is more like it. And it’s been hell. Everything was just fine before she came along. Not great, but fine.

I live in the royal palace in a small Mediterranean country called Cordonia. I know what you’re thinking and no, I’m not one of those stuck up noble pricks. My best friend might be the Crown Prince, but he’s not one of those pricks either. If he ever tried to be, I’d damn sure call him out on it. I wasn’t born into this life with a fancy title or hundreds of acres of land in my name.

I was born to wonderful parents, who despite their status as commoners in the kingdom, made me feel like I was the richest kid in the world. Not by money, of course, but with life experiences and lessons only those who work hard for a living can impart to their children.

My dad was a part of the King’s Guard in charge of protecting the two princes before he eventually moved up to Head Guard watching over the King and Queen. He’s Cordonian, born and bred.

My mom stayed at home with me and Savannah, my younger sister. She was born in a small town in Texas in the United States, but stayed in Cordonia after meeting my father during a European college trip she took with her friends.

They fell in love almost immediately and were each other’s best friends. I’ve always looked up to them. Always thought how great it’d be if I could find that too. I often dreamed of meeting a beautiful woman who I not only was in love with, but we were as close as two people could be. Friends, lovers, partners. What a fulfilled life I’d live.

Of course, that meant I’d have to actually find a woman who was willing to put up with my sarcasm, moodiness, and the permanent scowl on my face. And to be honest, it wasn’t looking that great.

Back to the dirty mind thing — don’t worry, I didn’t forget. As I was saying, a dirty mind can develop over time as a result of many things. And I’ve been through a lot in the 27 years I’ve lived on this earth. Okay, fine. It’s not as dramatic and horrible as some people have endured, but I’ve had my fair share of shit thrown at me.

My dirty mind, in particular, consists of many dirty words. You’re listening, so you might as well get used to it now. I cuss... a lot. You would too if you had to hang around the palace every day dealing with snobby, rich assholes who think their shit don’t stink, and that it’s perfectly okay to treat people beneath them like undignified trash. These people have no idea what life truly has to offer. All they care about is their political status in the kingdom, and how they can make more money doing as little for it as they can.

As you can imagine, I have to keep a lot of my thoughts to myself. Unfortunately, you’re going to have hear them all. Consider yourself warned.

My dirty mind also consists of all the shitty things that’s happened in my life that’s left a bad taste in my mouth.

Remember my dad? Head of the King’s Guard? Yeah, well, he was killed while attempting to save the king during an assassination attempt. That sure was nice growing up without a fucking father. I was 13. A brand new teenager with raging hormones and in desperate need of a strong, male role model to keep me on the straight and narrow. It fucking sucked. My dad was everything to me. He was a friend, a teacher, and the best father in the whole world.

When he died, I had to step up to be the man of the house. Sure, my mother was strong — she’d always been strong. But she was having a hard time coping with dad’s death. Savannah was only nine at the time, and was made fragile by the sudden and horrific change in her life.

I didn’t want my mom and sister to worry or feel unsafe with my dad being gone, so I immediately filled that role. And it was fucking hard at first. There was no time for me to cry or grieve because I had to be strong for my family. I had to show them it was all going to be alright even though I had no fucking clue if that was actually true.

My dad’s partner in the guard was Bastien Lykel. He was a great guy. About half my dad’s age, but just as competent. He learned a lot from my dad, but also brought natural talent of his own to the table. Anyway, after we lost dad, Bastien sort of stepped in for us. Not that he ever tried anything with my mom or pretended to be our father — he knew better than that.

On his off duty time, Bastien would spend most of it with my family. He’d tell us stories about working with our dad and help mom with any chores around the house. As time went on, Bastien kept up with what he could, but got increasingly busy with work as he moved up the chain in the King’s Guard.

Mom never really got over dad’s passing. I don’t blame her. I didn’t either. I still miss him every day. But she handled it differently. Money was a real struggle after he passed. It was something she constantly worried about.

Liam, my best friend and prince of Cordonia, talked his father into letting us move into the palace. The king was more than happy to oblige. He was grateful for my dad’s sacrifice so that he may live, and must have noticed how we were struggling. It was kind, and not what I expected as a commoner.

I was 16 by the time we had settled into our new digs at the palace. Savannah was over the moon about it. She always loved hanging around the noble girls her age. She was into all that crap. Fancy dresses, gaudy jewelry, fake smiles. Not that she assimilated to them. Thank God for that. Despite adoring that pretentious life, Savannah remained down-to-earth and never forgot her roots.

It wasn’t long after that when Mom left to move back to the United States. Yeah... wasn’t that swell? Not even a full-fledged adult yet and both parents were absent. Dad died protecting the king, but mom straight up left us. Don’t get me wrong. I love her and will always love her. I know she had to do what she needed in order to deal with losing dad. So did I. But it was hell on Savannah and me.

Mom must have noticed we were strong and independent enough to live on our own. We had stable living quarters at the palace, and were well taken care of in regards to basic needs: food, warmth, shelter. So... she split. Went back to her family ranch in Texas. We talk on occasion, but there’s definitely more than an ocean that comes between us. Hopefully, someday, we can repair that disconnect.

Okay, now that you know a little bit more about me, let me tell you about this girl. Her name is Bragnae Bennett. I first met her in New York when Maxwell, Tariq, and I took Liam to the States for a guy’s only trip — a bachelor party of sorts. Liam would soon have to choose a woman to marry that would eventually rule at his side as Queen of Cordonia. This trip was meant to forget about all of that and have fun – just us guys. At least that was my plan.

On the last night of the trip, we stopped in a crumby bar for a late dinner and drinks. And there she was wearing a white collared shirt, black pants and a maroon apron ready to take our order. Listen, the first time she strolled up to our table, my jaw nearly hit the floor. Luckily, she was looking at the other two as she introduced herself, which gave me a chance to wipe the figurative drool from my mouth.

Long, silky black hair pulled into a messy bun on top of her head, naturally tanned skin, sparkling amber eyes, and delicious curves that would elicit an arousing response in any man. And it did. Maxwell and Tariq were just as captivated as I was, not to mention Liam, who stepped into the bar a minute later. Now it was her turn to be captivated. Of course she was. They all were.

Liam stood six feet and two inches tall – two inches shorter than me, I might add – and he was nothing short of a blonde Adonis. The ladies already swooned for him because he was the prince, but take that title away, and he’d still have no problem adding notches to his bedpost. With his ocean blue eyes and well-proportioned body, Liam was every woman’s wet dream.

So, you can see why Bragnae would immediately turn her attention to him as he made his way to our table that night. We enjoyed our burgers, drank a ton of whiskey, and all stole glances at the goddess that was our waitress. Then, Liam boldly asked her to join us after her shift was over. A part of me was more than happy to have more time to look at her, but a bigger part was annoyed.

Obviously, she was taken with Liam, so there went my chance with her. I never stood a snowball’s chance in hell with women when Liam was around. Yes, I can admit that the good Lord blessed me with attractive features. Brown hair that looked good at any length with eyes to match, a strong jaw line, and the ability to chisel well-defined muscles on my body certainly helped me get laid. It damn sure wasn’t my personality. But with Liam there? It was no contest.

You’d think it’d be easy for me to hate the guy, but I can’t. He’s my best friend. My brother. We’ve been friends ever since we were kids, and we’ve always had each other’s backs. I’d do anything for him, and I have. Dropped out of college, a life I was keen on living away from Cordonia, and came back to keep Liam company after an attempt on his life. I wouldn’t give up my own happiness for just anyone. There’s few people I care about in this world, and Liam is one of them. The rest can all fuck off.

So, as you can see, I put up with all the bullshit for him. He needs me. He needs someone to give it to him straight, to keep him humble, and to keep him safe from all the selfish vultures that lurk around the palace wanting more for themselves than for their Crown Prince.

So, when Liam showed interest in Bragnae, I had no choice but to back off. It was stupid as hell for him to get her hopes up for the one night. Then again, maybe that’s all she wanted. A hook up. From what I understand, none of that occurred. At least a kiss and maybe some light fondling if I knew my friend. But whatever transpired between them that night after they snuck out of the club together was enough to prompt Bragnae to make a life changing decision to temporarily move to Cordonia for the chance to compete in the Social Season to win Liam’s hand.

Ugh. The Social Season. Don’t even get me started on that. As if Liam didn’t already have a parade of ladies vying for his attention, the kingdom made it a season for the prince to choose his future bride.

And Bragnae accepted Maxwell’s invitation to take part in it. I have to admit. I lost some respect for her when I saw her climb aboard our private jet back to Cordonia. I thought she was just another crown chaser, but believe me, I didn’t think that for long. She proved me wrong almost immediately.

I won’t bore you with everything that’s happened since she arrived in Cordonia, for your sake – unless you want me to tell you how many pathetic times I stroked my dick thinking of Bragnae, wishing I was inside her instead. Don’t worry, I’ll give you the highlights though.

Obviously, I wouldn’t be telling you any of this if the damned woman didn’t mean something to me. With her being a suitor for the prince, I knew she was off limits. Maybe that made me want her more. I don’t know. But she was more than just a pretty face and a sexy body. God, the dresses she wears. I get hard just thinking about it. The way she elegantly walks into a room, swaying her hips in an unknowingly sexy way grabs my attention every time. I’m not the only one.

Being the exotic foreigner, Bragnae had captured the attention of many men and even some women with her alluring ways. She truly was the complete package. She knew how to have a good time, spoke her mind, and was gracious, even to those who didn’t reciprocate. And oh boy, did she give me the business. Still does. It’s like I’m her number one target that she attempts to crack. She always wants me to have a good time. What did I do to invite that kind of attention from her?

I’m quite set in my ways, but damn if she hasn’t already broken down some of my walls. I hate her for it. Okay, more like, I hate that she was able to do it. She makes me smile, damn it, and I’ve worked on this scowl for years. How could she do this in such a short amount of time? I’ve come to the conclusion that she’s some sort of temptress. She has to be. Someone with mystical powers of enchanting men, and bending them to her will.

Yeah, I’ve got it bad, but there were specific occasions that led me to believe she might also be into me as well. I know, I know. As I’ve already established, no woman passes up Liam especially for someone like me. So, I’m sure I’m fantasizing about this.

Aside from a few looks and smiles she had cast in my direction at the Masquerade Ball and derby, there were some instances that felt deeper. Like when we went to Lythikos, and that witch Olivia mocked me and my sister for no reason whatsoever except to be cruel. Bragnae stood up to her for my sake, which I wasn’t expecting. I hauled ass out of there wanting some fresh air and a chance to see a meteor shower. Low and behold, Bragnae followed me out.

We ended up having a heartfelt talk that came out of nowhere. I think this was the first time I really started to like her. I was attracted to her from the beginning, but it was when we were lying in a snowbank looking up at the shooting stars above us when I felt a twinge in my heart. I badly wanted to reach out to her, but knew that wasn’t appropriate. As the snow started the fall and we walked back to Olivia’s estate, Bragnae surprised me by slipping her hand into mine.

I instantly felt electricity from her touch. I was almost too stunned to speak. She told me it was for safety, but I could see the truth in her eyes. We had connected in that moment, and holding her hand felt right. There was no way I was letting go. So, we held hands until we reached the manor. Everything changed for me after that night.

Perhaps it was just me and my wishful thinking, but ever since we left Lythikos, I felt that Bragnae was intentionally getting closer to me – physically. It seemed she would find ways to touch my arm during a conversation or sit by me when the opportunity presented itself.

After the Royal Regatta, we went to the beach for a little fun in the sun. She insisted on rubbing sunscreen over my back. I protested only for appearances. Thank God only the ocean could see my face because I was having a hard time keeping my sanity as she rubbed her soft hands up and down my shoulders and back. It sent a shiver down my spine.

Then, she let me return the favor. God, it was amazing. I had a legitimate excuse to touch her… in public… and she was wearing a swimsuit. Up until that day, I hadn’t see more than flirty cleavage when she wore her dresses. She was so close to being naked that day that my heart nearly stopped. As I worked my hands over her back, my eyes traveled down to her glorious ass. Her cheeks slipped out a bit. As soon as I felt my dick twitch, I knew it was time to bail.

We jumped in the ocean soon after that. Seeing Bragnae dripping wet from head to toe quickly moved to the number one slot in my spank bank. The release I had later that day after remembering our shared touches, and seeing her so deliciously drenched by the ocean was amazing.  

And just a few days ago, after we arrived in Applewood, it was my birthday. Liam told Bragnae even though I asked him to not make a big deal about it, damn him. So, Bragnae took it upon herself to organize a night out at a country-western bar in town in honor of my birthday.

If it was anyone else’s suggestion, I would have heartily declined, but I was curious what she had planned, and definitely wanted to see her in a bar setting with a cold drink in her hand. When we arrived, she took me up to the bar and got me a free drink. She chose whiskey – my favorite. She didn’t make me suffer with some embarrassing girly drink. No, she ordered my most favorite libation on the planet.

I let it slip that I thought she was hot, and of course she called me out on it. There was nothing this woman missed. Later on, we found ourselves on the dance floor, and of all people, she shimmied over to me. Even though I told her I was a rotten dancer, she delicately placed her hands on my hips and told me it was as easy as swaying to the beat. She smiled up at me with a glimmer in her eye.

I could chalk it up to it being my birthday, and that’s why I received so much of her attention that night, but the vibes I was receiving from her was more than a friendly gesture. And as if that night wasn’t already better than I anticipated, I willingly shared a sappy story about my childhood birthdays with her, which prompted an unexpected embrace from Bragnae. She pulled me in tightly, her breasts smashed against my chest and her arms clutching my back as she stood on her toes to hug me.

I was stunned for a split second before my brain told me to wrap my arms around her soft, warm body too. She smelled like a fucking angel – citrusy and sweet. It’s my new favorite scent.

You’re all caught up now. Maybe you see what I do, and maybe you don’t. Either way, I’ve got Bragnae on my mind constantly, and it’s becoming a problem. I even began calling her by her last name in an attempt to seem nonchalant and casual on the outside, when I’m really about to hulk out of my own skin because I want her so badly. Hopefully, she couldn’t tell.

I’ve been trying to hide it for the past month now, and it’s becoming more difficult by the day. I don’t want to tell her how I feel, even though I really do want her to know, it’s not right. She’s here for Liam, and that’s that.

It was the morning after the Apple Blossom Festival. Thank Christ that bullshit is over. Bragnae looked cute in her authentic peasant costume, but that was the extent of the excitement for that day. Now, it was time to blow off a little steam.

Liam was actually available this morning for a little work out before he had to attend a few meetings later on in the afternoon. It was nice to have this time with him. Liam had been my work out buddy since we were old enough to start using the gym equipment, which is why both of us are exceptionally toned and buff. I spend a little more of my time in the gym than he does – sometimes three times a day when I’m really bored.

“So, is your dad putting pressure on you to pick a particular suitor?” I couldn’t help but wish they were pushing him away from Bragnae.

“Yes, of course, he is. He and Regina both keep talking up Madeleine.” Liam continued his set of bicep curls.

“And what do you think about her?” I knew what he thought because I thought it too. Again, just hoping for his attention to be swayed to anyone but Bragnae. I focused on pumping up my own biceps as I waited for his response.

Liam gave me a knowing look through the mirror. “She wasn’t good enough for my brother, and she’s definitely not good enough for me. I hate that they’re pushing her onto me like this. I feel bad for her in a way,” he said as he returned the weights to the rack. “She was so close to becoming queen before Leo abdicated the thrown, and now she’s back to try again. It’s pathetic.”

I loved when he was candid with me. He knew he can trust that I wouldn’t repeat his words. That’s what best friends are for. Support and total discretion. “She’s passionate at least,” I laughed thinking about her desperate need for the political spotlight.

Liam wiped his face with a towel. “Passionate for the crown, maybe. But me? It’s all a fucking show. If she’s chosen, I doubt we’ll even fuck. She hasn’t once tried to kiss me when we’ve had moments alone. All the others have. I don’t even think she likes men.”

All the others have. I shuddered at the thought of him being with Bragnae. I hoped to God they hadn’t had sex yet. I haven’t quite figured out what type of woman she was in that regard. What I do know is that she’s smart and adventurous. She dresses provocatively, but with a certain elegance. Who knows if she’s promiscuous or not?

I’m torn on the topic. I love a bold woman who knows what she wants and takes it. It’s nice when a girl comes with experience, but she’s also not just giving it away to anyone who asks for it. If that’s how Bragnae was, I would be happy to know that. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to ask Liam if they’ve gone that far. We’ve talked about sex plenty of times, but this was different. It might be too hard to listen to Liam tell me about how she was in bed. It’s something I’d rather find out for myself.

“Yeah, Madeleine stands out to the masses, but definitely not your style.”

Liam took a swig of water. “I’ll tell you, though, I really like Bragnae.”

Fuck. “Oh, yeah?”

“Drake, she’s amazing. She’s not only beautiful, but she’s insightful too. I feel like I can tell her anything. The people seem to like her, the press too. I’m really hoping my father and Regina give her a chance.”

Damn it. He really likes her. Am I fucking surprised? No. She is amazing. No doubt about that.

“What do you think of her?” Liam asked.

How do I answer this without making it sound like I really like her too? “I think she’s great. She doesn’t seem to have her head in the clouds like most of these women, and she’s genuine. You know that’s always something I can appreciate.” Okay, that was good. Very Drake of me to say. I think that was good enough and wouldn’t blow my cover.

 “I’m glad you agree.” He said, taking a seat on one of the benches. He looked down at the floor with a smile on his face. “That body. She’s so fucking hot. I wish I could spend more time alone with her. I hate the fucking tight schedule they keep me on.”

I blew out a slow breath of relief. Sounded like he hasn’t gone all the way with her. Normally, at this point, he’d be boasting about his opportunity to be with her, but instead he was pining over it. But how long would it last?

“Yeah, I can imagine how rough it is.” They pull him in every direction they can. I wish he’d just tell them to shove it up their ass once in a while. “You’re the prince, man. Do what you want.” Why the fuck am I encouraging this? I hate myself.

Loud music was suddenly audible through the walls alerting us both. As we left the gym, Liam and I walked down the hall to a room where the door was cracked open a bit. Liam pulled it open the rest of the way, and halted in his tracks.

I noticed a stunned look on his face before I saw what was happening inside the room. I stepped up to the doorway, next to Liam, and saw Maxwell leading a choreographed dance flanked by Hana and Bragnae. My mouth fell open in shock as my eyes poured over Bragnae’s body.

She wore a hot pink sports bra top and black spandex leggings that were glued to her skin. Kevin Rudolf’s Let it Rock blared over the speakers as they danced in sync with each other. The beat was fast paced and lively. I actually liked the song – even more so now that I watched Bragnae dance to it.

She moved with ease, spinning, dipping, twirling in rhythm with the song, and it was mesmerizing. The way her hands explored her own body so seductively made my dick jump. Oh, fuck. She just bent over. Now, she and Hana were slowing it down, mirroring each other as they slowly dropped to their knees on the floor. Pumping their bodies on the ground and thrashing their long hair from side to side. Within seconds, the ladies slowly rose again.

I glanced at Liam briefly to see his reaction. He was enthralled, just like me. I was rarely jealous of Liam, but this was definitely one of those times. Not because he was the prince, and not because Bragnae was one of his suitors, but because he could watch her now – unguarded. He could look at her without suspicion as to why he’s fucking her with his eyes.

If anyone saw the way I was watching her with insane hunger and need, they’d think I was a creep or an asshole for gawking at one of the prince’s suitors. How I wished I could look at her openly the way I wanted to. So much of my life nowadays was kept in secret because so much of my life was consumed by Bragnae.  

I had no idea she could dance like this. It was like watching a strip tease, without the stripping of course. God, I wish she was taking off her clothes, too. Damn it. She was confident in her body as she thrusted her pelvis to the beat three times. And there went my dick again. I had to readjust because the pesky thing wouldn’t stay down. I was wearing athletic shorts. Thank God they’re black. My hard-on won’t be as prominent.

The song came to a close as the girls ended in a pose with their backs arched and an arm stretched above their heads. Maxwell did his own pose, not that I gave a shit about how he looked. My eyes were trained on Bragnae. My heart raced and I was breathing quickly all of a sudden. I hadn’t realized it until now. I wanted an encore… bad.

Liam started clapping, which got their attention. Fuck. I wasn’t ready to be exposed as an onlooker yet. My dick was still hard.

“That was phenomenal,” Liam said as he made his way over to them. The room they were dancing in was quite large. It was a multipurpose room used for collective work out routines such as their dance and whatever else the royal family wanted to use it for.

I watched Bragnae as she spun around to face Liam with a surprised expression. Apparently, despite the few times she turned around in our direction, she hadn’t noticed she had an audience. Then, her eyes focused on me. A brief smile crossed over her lips before she looked away. She was embarrassed? Why? That was unbelievably hot. If I could hit replay somewhere, I would.

My dick finally gave me a break, so I walked into the room to where they were standing.

“Are you three practicing for a show that I’m unaware of?” Liam asked with a sparkling smile.

Maxwell laughed. “Nah. The girls just wanted to work out in a fun way, so we put together a flirty routine. You know me. I’m always up for dancing.”

“Yes, and it was incredibly exhilarating!” Hana said with enthusiasm, albeit a bit breathless. “I’ve never danced like that in my life. My mother would have a heart attack if she saw that.”

Yeah, I bet she would. That dance was pure sex.

“And you, Lady Bragnae? Do you dance like that often?” Liam asked politely, but I knew he wanted to see if there’d be a repeat performance in the future.

We were both thinking with our dicks in that moment. And I couldn’t blame him. I was still in awe of what I just witnessed, so I was perfectly fine letting Liam speak to satisfy both of our curiosities. I did my best reconnaissance when I observed with my eyes rather than inquired with my mouth anyway – usually because my words would get me into trouble.

Bragnae nodded as she finished taking a long drink from a water bottle. Her chest glistened from the work out, and her quick and heavy breaths pushed her breasts out every time she inhaled. Goddamn. I raised my gaze to her eyes again in an effort to keep my dick out of the matter. No need to awaken him again. Not until I could at least be alone.

“I dance recreationally like this from time to time, but I’m not a part of a crew or anything. Just for fun.” Bragnae offered up a dazzling smile as she regained control of her breath again.

“I asked the other ladies if they wanted in on this, but Kiara declined saying she was too good for it. Penelope always mimics Kiara’s responses, so she was out. Madeleine acted like she didn’t even hear me when I asked, and Olivia said, and I quote ‘dream on, home boy’.” Maxwell shook his head and chuckled.

Liam extended his arm to the three of them. “Well, why don’t we all walk next door and grab a protein shake. Drake and I just finished working out as well.”

Hana’s face lit up with excitement at the suggestion, and Maxwell put some equipment away before he started for the door. I waited until Bragnae agreed before I turned to leave the room. I was sure Liam was waiting to walk next to Bragnae as they left the makeshift dance studio, so I wasn’t even going to try.

It was convenient for me that Liam also enjoyed working out, and considered it as much of a hobby as I did. That meant that as we got older, the gym equipment got better and there was a small protein stand built into the estate. Here at Applewood and back at the palace.

I made it to the counter first. With chocolate and vanilla protein powders as options, they also offered a few other flavors as add-ins. I would shake it up from time to time, but my favorite was chocolate-cherry. I placed my order with Jean, the middle-aged woman that worked the counter, and stepped back for the others.

Maxwell ordered a chocolate-banana, Hana got chocolate-strawberry. Like I guessed, Liam and Bragnae strolled up a minute later in a slow paced walk. He offered for her to order ahead of him, but she declined so she could look at the options. Liam asked for vanilla-strawberry, his favorite.

Bragnae stepped up to the counter. “May I have a chocolate-cherry, please?” Jean nodded, and turned away to fix the drinks.

I looked down to conceal my smile. She ordered the same thing as me. I knew she had good taste.

“Drake? Here you go, honey.” Jean placed my shake on the counter.

I walked up to retrieve it. Bragnae was still standing there when she looked over at my drink. I removed the wrapper to the straw Jean had set next to the cup, and pierced the plastic lid.

Bragnae’s eyes met mine as I smirked. “You ordered the same thing as me, by the way.”

She beamed. “I did? Well, we have good taste.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Before I could think of what to say next, Jean had placed the other orders on the counter. I got out of their way and walked to a nearby table. The others joined me along with their shakes.

“You know, ladies, you’re welcome to work out in the gym, too, if you want. Here and back at the palace. I’d be happy to show you a thing or two if you need assistance.” Liam, the ever-willing prince. I chuckled at his invitation. This was guy code for, I’d love to see more of you in your tight clothes while working up a sweat. And then maybe we could take a shower together afterwards.

I knew my best friend, and I knew myself. We were both thinking the same thing. However, I doubt that comment was intended for Hana even though she was also beautiful and beyond talented in almost every capacity.

“That’s nice of you to offer, Your Highness,” Hana said before taking a drink.

“We got quite the work out in today. Full-body. Do you guys do that every time you’re in the gym?” Bragnae asked. She looked to Liam and then to me.

Liam had just taken a swig of his shake, so I answered. “Nah. We break it up. Today was just arms and abs.”

I kept my gaze on Bragnae as her eyes shifted down the length of my arm. She had her elbows on the table holding her shake up just below her chin. Her fingers absentmindedly moved the straw in and out of the lid as her eyes locked on my bicep.

I know I shouldn’t have, but I knew she was impressed, so I clenched my fist and flexed my bicep for a split second to gauge her reaction. I smiled inside as I saw her lightly gasp before taking a drink and looking away.

“Ooh, Bragnae, we better get going if we want to shower before the next event,” Hana said looking at her watch.

Oh, nice. A shower. Are they going to shower together? That’s what Hana made it sound like, or maybe that’s what my dirty mind wanted me to hear. Either way, picturing Bragnae naked in a hot and steamy shower was definitely an image I wanted to fill my mind with. If Hana happened to be showering near her, that’d be okay too. But I’d prefer to be in there with Bragnae instead.

“And what is the next event for you ladies?” Liam asked.

Bragnae and Hana stood from the table, prompting the rest of us gentlemen to do the same. “We are having tea with the queen. All the ladies are expected to be there and on time.” Bragnae emphasized the last part with a different inflection in her voice and widened eyes.

Liam laughed. “Yes. It’s best not to keep her waiting.”

“Oh, I know. If I’m late for another event, Bertrand will give me a very stern talking to for ‘besmirching House Beaumont’.” Bragnae spoke emphatically, and teased Maxwell by pinching his cheek.

“You and me both,” Maxwell told her. “Now, get going, so Bertrand stays off both of our asses.”

Bragnae laughed and waved before turning to walk away. My eyes traveled down to her magnificently presented ass. There should be a standing rule that Bragnae always be in tight, spandex leggings when she wasn’t wearing a dress. Jesus Christ, she could stop traffic. And I’m getting hard again. Time to go.

“Alright, I’m going to get cleaned up as well. I’ll see you fellas later.”

~

The next day was the traditional fox hunt for the royal party. Our ancestors used to hunt fox for sport, but today, the event only retains its name. Good thing too because I bet over half of these so-called nobles had never even held a gun, let alone knew how to use it.

This was actually an event I was happy to be a part of. We had to ride horses across a three mile trail through the woods and a bit of the mountains. This was my forte. Growing up with a mother who lived on a ranch in her youth, I was practically raised on a horse. I got up early and headed to the stables to pick out my horse for the day before the fussing nobles ruined the experience.

Since Lonestar, my mother’s horse, was at the stables near the palace, I had to find a different steed. Natalia was always my choice when we came to Applewood. We got along well, and she was better for more experienced riders anyway. She liked to run, so I thought I’d take her out to the field before the fox hunt to stretch her legs a bit.

After she was saddled up, I hopped on, and led her out to the field to trot, being sure not to tire her out too much before the trail ride.

Before long, the nobles had assembled and the fox hunt had begun. I was at the end of the procession, but I led Natalia to the sidelines, so we could pass a few people. There was no way I was going to be stuck behind Penelope while she was telling her hundredth story about her poodles that morning. Plus, I wanted to find Bragnae.

After seeing how she ogled the muscles in my arm, and not Liam’s, I figured it was time to stop playing this game. I needed to start being nicer to her, and explain myself. She deserved that. And out of all the people I wanted to be a prick to, she wasn’t even on the list. So, it would end today.

As I made my way through the trail, the crisp air was refreshing. The woods surrounded the manmade path. It was beautiful, save for the bickering nobles. I shook my head in disgust at them. It was a shame they couldn’t appreciate what was around them. Just shut the fuck up, and enjoy the ride.

I finally saw Bragnae up ahead. She was on a black horse �� oh, wait, that was the horse who won the derby. Huh. I wondered how she happened to possess her. Bragnae was riding alongside Hana who was showing her some sort of dressage move. I smirked thinking about Hana’s plethora of talent.

I wasn’t going to intrude on their moment, so I kept my pace and position in hopes that Hana would ride off eventually. My patience had paid off as Hana rode ahead a minute later. Now was my chance.

I squeezed my legs around Natalia and gave her a slight kick with my heels to give her the sign to trot ahead. When she approached Bragnae and her horse, I pulled back on Natalia’s reins to keep up with Bragnae’s horse.

“Hey, Bennett. You look nice.” She did, too. She managed to find a rider’s outfit. A maroon jacket and tight, brown pants with knee-high boots.

Bragnae pulled back in surprise. “Wow. Opening with a compliment, huh? You feeling okay?”

I chuckled. “Yep. Just fine.”

“I’m surprised to see you out here today. I would have figured all the nobles would have repelled your desire to join us.”

“This is actually something I love doing. Riding horses, I mean. And it’s entertaining to watch the stuffy nobles fuss over their blazers. It amazes me how much they’re missing what’s around them, though.”

“Is that why you’re smiling more today?”

I couldn’t help but smile again as I looked at her. “It has more to do with who I’m riding next to.”

She feigned a surprised gasp, complete with a hand over her heart. “A second compliment!”

“If you’re lucky, you might get a third.” I loved bantering with her. It was always fun.

“Oh, then let me find a four-leaf clover really quick.” She winked at me with that dazzling smile I liked so much.

I sighed giving Natalia a couple pats on her neck. It was time to be honest with her. I needed to explain why I’d been such an ass to her. “You know, when we first met, I wanted to dislike you so badly.”

Genuine surprise highlighted her face. “Why?”

“Well, you were crashing Liam’s bachelor party. That was supposed to be our last night out together before all this nonsense. I don’t get to spend much time with him, and now, I’m lucky if I get to spend five minutes with him before a noble girl throws herself in front of him.” I also didn’t want to like you because I knew I couldn’t have you. Wish I could tell her that.

I looked over at her to see a somewhat pained expression. “Sorry. I didn’t mean…”

“I knew what you meant.” There was compassion in her eyes. Thank God. The last thing I wanted was her thinking I was insulting her in any way.

“Anyway, I know we got off to a bad start, but somewhere along the way,” I paused to gather my courage, “…things changed.” I hope she could read between the lines.

“I wanted to dislike you too,” she replied.

Now it was my turn to be surprised. “You did?”

“Well, yeah! I mean, you were a total dick to me.” She turned toward her horse, stroking its mane. I was a complete dick to her, and I hated that I did that. “But now…”

“Now?” My nerves were making my hands shake. I gripped the reins tighter as I waited for her response.

“It took time, but I figured out that you’re actually human under all those scowls.”

I shook my head as a smile crept over my lips. She wove a joke into her reply, and it was the cutest damn thing. Now the air was cleared, and it felt good. “Well, this has all been touching, but I need to rescue Liam from his family for a couple minutes. I’ll see you later.”

“I hope so,” she grinned.

Damn, that went well. I heeled Natalia again to get her to trot towards the front of the procession.

Soon, the trail led everyone to an old village where we would all have dinner. I was starving and very much looking forward to eating the giant feast. As everyone got in line to be served, I saw Tariq and Bragnae talking just ahead of me. His body language suggested that he was into her. I knew from the bachelor party in New York that Tariq was attracted to her, but he hadn’t done much more than mention it at the time. Not that I saw anyway.

As I moved forward in the line, I watched Liam trade places with Tariq. His body language was even more obvious. Liam had it bad. I could easily recognize when he was really into a woman, and there was no mistaking it here. But the stakes were even higher this time around. Liam was looking to pick a bride, a future queen. I didn’t know if he was in love with her, but he’d been much more preoccupied with her than any other girl I’d seen him with.

Later that evening after we got back from the ride, I helped the stable hands corral the horses and take their saddles off before I headed to my room. It had been a long day, but despite the length of the ride and being outdoors all day, I wasn’t ready to call it a night.

I needed to see Bragnae again. For some reason, I felt that I didn’t get my fill of her today. Then again, I felt like that every day even when I was with her. Maybe she’d like to go to the gym with me for a late night work out. Would that be too obvious that I wanted to spend time with her?

I decided I didn’t give a shit about that. Some of her signals made it seem like she was into me, so maybe she’d be happy to come along. I changed into a razorback tank top and athletic shorts and made my way to her room. I hoped she wasn’t asleep yet or otherwise busy. Her room wasn’t too far from mine. Liam made sure of that. At the beginning of the Social Season he had asked me to keep an eye on her. At first, I was unsure about it, but that quickly changed. If anything, I was grateful that I had an excuse to be hanging around her.

I came up to her room, and the door was wide open. Does the woman not enjoy privacy? I peeked my head in the door frame searching the room with my eyes before spotting Bragnae straddling the floor, resting on her knees. Her hands pressed against the floor in front of her as she slowly moved up and down.

My eyes nearly bulged out of my head. What the hell was she doing? She was still wearing her riding pants, but had removed her blazer and took her hair out of the bun it was in, and cascaded it over one shoulder. I was frozen. Only my eyes could move.

Bragnae’s eyes were closed, and I watched as her full lips transformed in what looked like agony to relief. It was incredibly erotic to watch her in this way. My dirty mind pictured myself underneath her. I wouldn’t mind at all if she wanted to ride me like that. Seeing her now made it easy to imagine her legs squeezing my hips as she felt every inch of my dick inside her.

My hardened and impatient cock brought me out of my trance. I needed to make my presence known before someone noticed I was just standing in her doorway watching her like some fucking pervert.

“Need a hand there?” Fuck. That was my dick talking. Why did I say that? Fuck.

Bragnae’s eyes snapped open, and an embarrassed smile crossed over her lips. “Hey, Drake.”

“Whatcha doin’?” I was genuinely curious.

Bragnae slowly stood up. “I was just stretching. It’s been a while since I last rode a horse.”

Hmmm. Could that also mean it’s been a while since she’s ridden a man that way? I know if she rode a stallion like me, she’d be sore. No getting around that. Her inner thighs would strain to hold onto me as I would thrust into her over and over again making her come so hard she’d struggle to breathe after her screams of pleasure finally subsided.

I cleared my throat to push the thought out of my mind. “I ride pretty regularly, so I’m used to it by now.”

“What are you doing for the rest of the night?”

I’d love for the answer to be you. “I was actually going to head down to the gym, and I was going to ask you if you’d like to join me, but I guess you probably don’t feel up to it being sore from the ride.”

“No, I can still go,” she said immediately with a smile. “Just give me a minute to change.”

Wow. Cool. So, she doesn’t mind working out even as sore as she is. I didn’t want to get too excited, but I was pretty sure it was because of me. At least I hoped so.

I nodded after processing her response. “Yeah, sure. I’ll just be outside.” I closed her door behind me, and leaned against the wall.

My heart was starting to race again, and butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I took a couple deep breaths to calm my nerves. After another minute, her door opened and Bragnae emerged wearing an electric blue sports bra top, similar to the one she danced in, and black spandex leggings to match. Her stomach and lower back were completely bare.

My dick took over again. It was making my eyes get lost in her body that was standing so close to me that I could feel the heat between us. I had a sudden urge to tuck the tip of my finger just beneath her waistband, and roll it across her pelvis, undoubtedly making her tremble. My gaze traveled up to her top where the most spectacular cleavage I’d ever seen peeked out.

The tightness of her outfit pushed her breasts up and together. If I wasn’t mistaken, I was pretty sure she had pulled that zipper in the front of her top down even more than it had been the other day. She was flirting with her clothes, and I was completely onboard with that. If she only knew what her outfit was doing to me.

Thank Christ my brain woke up in time to save me from myself as my eyes returned to hers. “Shall we?”

[crystalelemental]

Antagonists of Elibe

When I was writing up the Limstella character piece, there was a point I wanted to fit in but couldn’t find a good way to introduce without breaking the flow.  My wife insisted I should make a separate post about it, so here it is.  The main point is that, across both Elibe games, a big emphasis seems to be placed on empathy and understanding the other side of things, and how that ties in to the antagonists, how they’re presented, and why each outcome is so impactful to me, personally.

Empathy in Elibe Starting with the main prospect, I think empathy is kind of a central theme for Elibe.  Not in a specific sense, but in the broad sense of having empathy and compassion for all life, not just your own.  Our protagonists, Eliwood and Roy, are almost entirely defined by their kindness, understanding, and acceptance of others.

Eliwood’s supports with Ninian are entirely around this.  Ninian is hesitant with him at first, and with others, given her history.  Her mother was killed in a war with humans, the remainder of her people were driven into exile beyond the dragon’s gate, and as a high-profile oracle in their world, she deals endlessly with the dragons who seek revenge upon humans to reclaim their world.  Dragons and humans have always seemed to have bad blood for one another.  Yet here’s Eliwood, who can honestly tell her that her background doesn’t matter.

Ninian: “It’s strange.  All of you treat my brother and me so...normally.  Doesn’t it bother you?  Our powers, our looks.  We’re different from...people...” Eliwood: “Has that been bothering you?  What’s wrong with being a bit different from other people?  When I look at you, I don’t see other people.  I see Ninian.  A normal, kindhearted girl.”

The entire basis of their relationship is because they can look past the differences, and find commonalities.  They’re able to see the good in the other, and that in turn paves the way for Roy.

Roy is similarly able to see the good in everything.  He comes to the aid of others, and seeks to protect all life, not just his own.  This culminates in his battle with Zephiel, his proclamation of faith in the good in humans, and finally his decision to protect and save Idunn.  The entire focus of these games is about a family starting to correct the ills of the past, and reaching out to the other side in friendship.  Sound familiar?

I feel like Fire Emblem, as a series, really likes to play with this.  It’s the entire basis for the Tellius games, and is the central theme of Fodlan, which is why I believe Claude’s route is the true route.  But that’s something for another day.  The main reason I bring this up is to shift into the antagonists, and how their actions and histories play with the central theme.

Zephiel I’m gonna start with Zephiel, since I have the least to talk about with him.  Zephiel’s history is that, as a child, he excelled as a leader, a soldier, at pretty much everything.  Yet his father only hated him for it.  He believed that Zephiel could not possibly be his legitimate heir, and felt jealousy toward Zephiel’s accomplishments.  So much so that he tried to have Zephiel assassinated.  Twice, if Binding Blade’s explanation if different from the event in Blazing Blade.  Zephiel has grown up surrounded by hate, even within his own race.  Humans from different countries can’t even get along, and everything with them is about seizing power and siding with those who are strong.  The entire progression of Biding Blade is to accentuate Zephiel’s point: every minor antagonist sides with Bern for selfish motivations.  Humans can’t be trusted, so we should turn leadership over to dragons, who will do a better job.

Roy disagrees, and because we’ve lived the adventure with him, we can see Zephiel’s point, but we also see Roy’s.  Whenever something has gone off course, humans corrected the problem.  Turning leadership over to dragons to rule is just keeping the same problem, but changing which hand is holding it.  Dragon leadership alone would be no better, and the true ending route confirms this belief.  We learn about the earthly dragons, how they chose to lead and respond to the Scouring, and the lengths they went to.  They’re no better than humans.  They were willing to torture a child into becoming a living weapon for them, claiming survival.  But we know from Blazing Blade, if survival were all they sought, they could have fled beyond the Dragon’s Gate.  This was an act of domination against humans, and Zephiel’s aim was to facilitate that dominance.

Zephiel serves as a villain because he fails to empathize with the full picture.  He’s simply lashing out at humanity, which has done awful things to him, in fairness.  But he’s willing to deny any wrongdoing on the part of dragons, and willingly uses Idunn as a tool of war, just as the dragons did before.  That’s the villain path.  Even if Zephiel truly believed that humans are better off living under dragon control.  Even if Zephiel believes that dragons were less cruel than humans.  The fact that he’s willing to sacrifice and use the lives of others to achieve an ambition is where he’s gone wrong.  Life cannot be sacrificed for a greater good, and that alone is what sets Zephiel up as the villain.

Nergal Nergal is very similar to Zephiel, but in a different direction.  For those not familiar with his history, Nergal was alive at the time of the Scouring.  He was a practitioner of the dark arts, who had married a dragon, and even had two children with said dragon.  However, when the Scouring was picking up, his wife was captured by humans.  Nergal set out to get her back, but left his children on the Dread Isle near the Dragon’s Gate, and told them to pass through it if he hadn’t returned in ten days’ time.  Though he sought to keep them safe if he failed, the end result was that Nergal was too late to save his wife, and then too late to return to his children.  His family was gone.  For hundreds of years, he wandered the world, until he met Athos, a hero of the Scouring.  They traveled together for a time, and eventually found Arcadia, a hidden oasis in the desert where humans and dragons lived in harmony.  It was here that Nergal found the secret art of manipulating quintessence, known only to dragons, and likely divine dragons.  Using this art, Nergal would kill living creatures, and began to create Morphs, entities with human likeness, but allegedly no emotion or drive beyond serving their creator.  I talked a lot about whether this is true in the Limstella analysis, so please refer to that for the rebuttal.

The point is, given the history, Nergal is set to be a sympathetic villain, much like Zephiel.  He lost his entire family to a meaningless war, found a way to possibly revive his wife, then loses his reason for this and seeks only power.  It’s a tragedy, right?  Well, yes, but honestly I think there was no other outcome.

When you dig into Nergal, there’s one thing that’s clear: Nergal steadily lost himself.  It wasn’t all at once.  When Athos confronts him, it’s unlikely he’s lost himself completely by this.  And even if he had, starting out, Nergal knew what he was doing.  He weighed the choice, and determined that sacrificing other life to bring back his wife was a good trade.  There’s no empathy for other life, only its use for his own purposes.  He doesn’t see past his trauma.

What’s more, Morphs clearly have souls.  They think and feel.  Limstella’s dialogue makes this clear, Kishuna’s existence makes this clear, Canas and Renault’s supports make this clear.  Yet it’s very directly stated that Nergal creates his Morphs, then abandons them.  Unless they’re part of his ultimate goal, he has no use for them.  And he makes a lot.  When Kishuna was created, he was, I believe, #252.  This was when Nergal still had care for his successful creations, as opposed to the later flashback where he’s telling Kishuna to rot as a worthless creation.  Even before Nergal devolved to the point of only seeking power, he was creating life and casting it aside, as if it were nothing.  He even tells Kishuna that “it won’t do to refer to you as a number,” implying that most of his creations are just numbers.  He thinks very little of other life, even from the start.  There was never enough care for others, and thus this path to villainy was almost guaranteed.

The Limits of Empathy The previous two antagonists bring up a compelling thought: what are the limits of empathy?  When has a person gone too far to give consideration to the past and circumstances that led them here?  I think Eliwood’s confrontation with Nergal sums it up nicely:

Nergal: “It confirmed some things for me.  That trust brings betrayal.  That friends bring weakness!” Eliwood: “If that’s what you learned from your encounter, then you are a fool.  Do you believe for a moment, than when Athos struck down his dearest friend, he felt nothing?!  His heart was torn in two, and yet you refused to understand that!  Nergal!  I will defeat you! Here!  Today!  But, even now there is no hatred in my heart.  You, who were born human.  You, who lost the heart that defines your humanity...  For you, I have nothing but pity.”

There are two answers.  One is “never.”  Even at the end of their conflict, Eliwood never holds hate for Nergal.  After everything, there’s still a level of human connection that triumphs over hatred.  The second is, when they become dismissive of other life.  Nergal was always dismissive, and when Athos fought against him, all he learned was that friends betray you, rather than that his actions were wrong.

I’ve only played Binding Blade once (as opposed to the like 50 times I’ve played Blazing Blade), but I don’t recall Roy holding any hatred for Zephiel, or anyone else, either.  Rather, he recognizes that what they’re doing brings harm to people, and seeks to stop them because he must.

That’s the limit these games suggest.  When someone is actively endangering life, using life as a tool for their own gains.  That’s when you can’t let understanding of their circumstances stay your hand.  But it’s equally important to never lose that empathy, that heart that defines humanity.

Idunn Idunn is the odd antagonist out, and my personal favorite of the three.  Idunn’s history is...honestly the opposite of the other two.  She embodies the first answer but neglects the second.  Idunn is a divine dragon.  During the Scouring, the earthly dragons sought aid from the divine dragons, requesting the creation of War Dragons.  They were losing the war because dragon reproduction is significantly longer than human reproduction, and so they were essentially outnumbered.  War Dragons could be spawned by divine dragons, likely in a similar fashion to the creation of Morphs, and could turn the tide of the war.  The divine dragons refused the request, and left Elibe entirely.  Except one.

Idunn was the only one to hesitate.  As it’s explained in the endgame of Binding Blade, she felt empathy for the earthly dragons, and worried about their circumstances.  This allowed them to catch her, and subsequently destroy her soul, creating the Demon Dragon that would obey their commands to flood the world in War Dragons.  When the dragons lost the war anyway, Idunn was sealed away for 1000 years, until Zephiel awakened her.  Zephiel then used her to again bring War Dragons into the world, in an effort to turn the world over to dragons. 

Idunn is such a unique case to me, because the only defining personality trait we get from her is her empathy.  She couldn’t just abandon the earthly dragons without attacks of conscience.  Yet because of that, she was captured and betrayed.  The divine dragons were right to leave the earthly dragons behind, knowing what they would do.  Perhaps it’s because Idunn was young, or perhaps it’s because she was a divine dragon and had never associated with the earthly dragons or humans, but she didn’t understand that some people could be cruel.  She didn’t realize that, despite feeling that empathy for the dragons, there was a good reason to turn them down.

It also established another important point.  Jahn, the last dragon standing with Idunn, expresses that dragons don’t have emotions, and that dragons and humans could not possibly live together because of these differences.  He calls Brunnya incomprehensible, and seems to look down on emotion as a weakness exclusive to humans.  Yet we see that empathy from Idunn, we’ve seen Arcadia where humans and dragons do coexist, and in Blazing Blade we see Ninian and Nils, who are definitely expressive.  Jahn seems to have internalized this sense of hatred toward humanity, such that he rejects any possible similarities to connect with.  Jahn is a symbol of the hatred the dragons had toward humans, and likely that humans felt toward dragons.  Idunn and Jahn together paint the picture that dragons and humans are more alike than they seem, and that the earthly dragons made a choice to continue the fighting, and to continue hating humans.

This isn’t lost on Roy, either, whose final act is one of compassion.  In absolute threat level, Idunn is a bigger risk to keep around than Zephiel ever was.  Zephiel started a war, but Idunn had the potential to endlessly flood the world with war dragons, and end humanity entirely.  Yet in applied threat...Idunn was never a threat at all.  She was a victim of the war, someone who never sought to hurt anyone, and never had a choice in her role.  Comparatively, Zephiel and Jahn both cast aside consideration for her and others, and sought to use her as a weapon for their own ends.  Roy’s final act is stopping Idunn from carrying out her orders, but then saves her life, bringing her to Arcadia to restore her soul.  Chronologically, this is when the mistakes of Elibe’s past are finally righted, and relations between humans and dragons can begin on a grander scale.  In any other circumstance, had someone cast aside empathy when doing what needed to be done, Idunn would be killed and a threat removed.  It is specifically because Roy maintains empathy toward others, even his enemies, that old wounds can finally heal.

Conclusions Elibe is still my favorite.  Blazing Blade may have been my first game, but I really feel it holds up, even now.  While there are people who say the stories aren’t that strong, or that the casts aren’t that strong, I feel like what stands out with Elibe is how it integrates its themes and the understandable nature of their villains.  A lot of games in the series either don’t go for sympathetic villain, or try in a way that doesn’t quite hit home.  The Blades games manage to present villains with a compelling and sympathetic history, while simultaneously expressing that some people are beyond redemption.  And I think that’s a good balance to strike.  It’s important to always consider what impacts another, and what their lives were like.  But there have to be limits in what’s tolerated based on a sympathetic past, and sometimes you do have to stand against someone who’s wrong, no matter what they’ve been through.  But at the end of the day, the one thing you can’t abandon is that empathy for others.  Even when taking a stand against evil, hate can’t be the reason you do so.

[aspoonofsugar]

Ash as Jack o’ Lantern

My dad made a Jack o’ Lantern for me on Halloween night.

I wore it to go trick-or-treating.

I went to hide in the forest alone to scare Griffin.

it was pitch dark and there were eerie noises all around.

I got scared and turned to go home when a huge pumpkin came staggering my way. 

I realized later on it was just my reflection on the windshield of a car.

This anecdote Ash tells Eiji in episode 11 summarizes Ash as a character and his difficult relationships with his parental figures throughout the series.

This meta will try to show this.

THE TRUE MEANING OF THE PUMPKIN STORY

Let’s start by how the story ends:

Ash sees a giant pumpkin moving towards him, thinks that it is a monster and gets scared. Later on he realizes the “monster” was none other than himself.

Ash tells Eiji this story to explain his fear of pumpkins, but given what happens later on in that same episode it is obvious what Ash is truly scared of:

Ash is scared of himself and sees himself as a monster. Considering this, it becomes obvious that what Ash’s childhood memory explains to us viewers is not how he developed a phobia for pumpkins, but how he came to see himself as a monster and why.

In order to explain this, we should consider the other two characters who are mentioned by Ash:

Jim and Griffin are Ash’s biological family and their role in Ash’s reminiscence is symbolic of their roles in Ash’s life.

JIM: THE MASK-MAKER

In Ash’s story Jim is the one who made the Jack-o-Lantern costume. Basically he is the one who made Ash dress-up as a monster. Such a role is symbolic of several things.

First of all, it is thought that the legend of Jack’ o Lantern was brought in the USA by Irish immigrants and that is who Jim is:

This little detail is not important per se, but it is overall fitting because it underlines how the mask represents the legacy left to Ash by his father both in terms of cultural lineage and in terms of influence on the child’s life.

The second point is much more important. As a matter of fact Jim completely failed Ash.

When his son came to him for help Jim didn’t protect him and actually this is what he advised the child to do:

In short Jim is the first person who had Ash prostitute himself. Moreover, Jim’s lack of assistance prompted Ash to act on his own:

Again, it is not by chance that the gun Ash uses is not a random one, but Jim’s. This is symbolic of how Jim himself enabled Ash to commit murder and to start a life of violence.

In other words Jim is the person who indirectly starts Ash on both prostitution and murder. They are the two things Ash hates himself for as it has been made clear several times in the series:

Because of this, it is fitting that Jim is the mask-maker who crafted the costume which scared Ash so much.

In conclusion, Ash’s mask represents the legacy left to him by his father in terms of origin and influence and how his parent, even if maybe unwillingly, molded him into becoming what Ash himself considers a monster.

GRIFFIN NEVER CAME

Ash explains that he waited in the forest for Griffin to come, but that he never came and as a result Ash himself got scared.

I think that in these short lines the way Griffin’s disappearance from Ash’s life affected him is clear.

To better understand it, we can use Ash’s dream in episode 10:

Ash is shown crying wishing for Griffin not to leave him. It is important that what Ash is scared of is mostly that Griffin might forget about him. This has probably to do with Ash’s mother leaving him:

This early abandonment made Ash feel disposable and unimportant. So, Ash’s dream materializes Ash’s fear of being left behind and forgotten by who is basically a parental surrogate.

So Griffin’s departure is in Ash’s mind nothing more than a repetition of his mother’s abandonment even if, of course, the two situations are completely different.

Moreover, Griffin leaving Ash overlaps with the arrival of his rapist which is what makes Ash’s life take a turn for the worse.

In short, Griffin left Ash waiting, but the place where Ash was supposed to wait became scarier and more dangerous until Ash couldn’t wait anymore. This is pretty much what happens in the pumpkin story as well and I think it is a pretty clear metaphor of Ash’s mental state up until when he finally decided to run away.

Of course what is even more tragic is that not only Griffin never came back home to help Ash, but that Ash’s fear of being forgotten became true and it was not Griffin’s fault:

So, in the end Griffin forgot Ash and never managed to recognize him. Actually, the only time he recognized someone it was not someone he loved, but someone linked to a traumatic event:

And the doctor’s prayers for Griffin to live for Ash went unheard:

What I am trying to underline is not that Griffin was a bad big brother. He was actually a wonderful one according to Ash’s fond memories of him. What I want to highlight is that BF is a narrative where parental figures fail their children and that Griffin’s narrative is a part of this theme. He was himself a forgotten child who had to take care of his little brother in the place of his parents and later on he himself, for circumstances which were not under Griffin’s control, left Ash alone.

Finally, when considering Jim and Griffin, it is important to highlight how their relationship with Ash ended up being inverted when it comes to who has to protect who and who has to take care of who.

Griffin’s case is the most obvious and it is underlined by Ash himself:

Griffin used to take care of Ash, but in the series, because of Banana Fish’s effects, he finds himself in the condition where he can’t be self-sufficient anymore and so Ash has no other choice, but to take care of Griffin instead:

When it comes to Jim, let’s underline how his reconciliation with Ash happens mostly because Ash is willing to risk his life in order to protect him and Jennifer:

Let’s review what exactly happens.

Ash comes home and Jim insults him and treats him coldly. Later on we discover he basically failed at protecting his son from the man who raped him. However, Jim takes a step to fix his relationship with his son only when Ash shows him that he still cares. It is obvious that the whole relationship is pretty unbalanced in Jim’s favor even if it is supposed to be the other way around.

Another interesting detail when it comes to Jim’s attempt of redemption is that it happens in this way:

He covers Ash’s crime, whereas when Ash was a child he dragged him to the cops.

This seems to underline how society is generally depicted negatively by the series.

A father taking his son to the police after said child having been raped is what worsens their relationship. On the other hand a father covering his child killing a man is what is framed as a positive closure to their relationship.

Let’s now concentrate on Ash’s three father figures within the series itself: Dino, Max and Blanca.

DINO AND ASH: CONTROL VS FREEDOM

Dino is basically a more openly malevolent version of Jim and just like Jim he is responsible for forcing Ash to both prostitute himself and to kill. Both ways in which Dino abuses Ash are well highlighted in episode 9 when Dino manages to finally catch Ash and forces him to do two things.

Firstly, Dino has Ash dress up for his own enjoyment:

This is coherent with Dino objectifying Ash.

When it comes to Dino’s objectification of Ash there are several symbols within the series used to convey it:

Dino petting a cat.

Dino taking care of his flowers and associating Ash to flowers in his mind.

Several frames focused on food which strenghten the idea that Dino sees Ash as something to consume.

Secondly, Dino forces Ash to kill Shorter:

As a matter of fact the point of drugging Shorter and to have him try to kill Eiji is to force Ash to kill his best friend in order to prove to Ash that he will do and become what Dino himself wants.

This is because all in all Dino and Ash’s relationship is a relationship made of a perpetual struggle where one side wants to control the other whereas the other wants to be free:

It is not by chance that the story opens with Dino having two of Ash’s guys kill a man despite the fact Ash and him have a pact about Dino not using the gang members to kill. In a sense Ash’s gang is an attempt Ash makes of making himself independent from Dino. It is an organization Ash has control over and one he gained by himself:

Of course this attempt is flawed because it has its roots in the violent world Ash has been living in and which keeps him from growing. That said, it is nonetheless an attempt Ash makes and it is indicative that Dino tries to immediately size control of this aspect of Ash’s life despite it not being necessary. After all, why should he be using two kids to kill an important witness? If he had not Ash would have not discovered about BF and if he had used a pro, the witness would not have managed to run away wounded and Dino could have had the drug back far more easily. However, he chooses to use two street kids and he probably does so because he likes the feeling of controlling Ash.

What is more, the dynamic between the street gangs and the criminal corporations that we see in the series can represent on a larger scale the dynamic between Ash and Dino. As a matter of fact the gangs are violent and seem to threathen the peaceful lives of normal citizens. However, they are also composed of people coming from disadvantaged situations and it is made clear that they are nothing more than weapons in the hands of larger and more organized criminal groups like the Chinese mafia or the Corsican one whose members are rich and accepted by society. So, it is not just Ash who is used by Dino, but all the kids in the gangs are used by a corrupt system. This is why it is fitting that toward the end of the series there is an all out war between gangs and mafia and that Ash is the one leading the formers and Dino the latter.

After all, Dino is such a dangerous and persistent antagonist throughout the series not because of his talent, but mostly because of his social status. If we were to compare Dino to Ash in basically everything (beauty, strength, intelligence) we could easily say that Ash is without doubt better than Dino. However, Dino manages to remain a threath up until the very end and this is because of the people he knows aka of his connections.

He manages to throw Ash in jail because he bribes a policeman and a judge. He manages to catch Ash because he makes a deal with the Lees. He has Arthur fight in his place while he is away. He manages to catch Ash again because YL comes up with a plan and because Dino knows Blanca who is talented enough to pull it off.

Almost every success Dino gets in the series is through someone else. Even, when it comes to BF Dino is not the one who invented it, but he simply managed to find the one who did and in this way he became the person nurturing said project.

So, Dino is the symbol of a society which is corrupted. It is the same society which let Ash get abused by the baseball coach without neither stopping nor punishing the man to the point that Ash himself had to kill him.

That said (even if it is objectively a point which isn’t developed to its fullest), there seems to be some vague notion about the possibility of having a better society and this happens mostly when several people from different backgrounds and factions come together.

The ability to attract people of different classes and situations seems to be something Ash excels at:

After all, by the end Ash has on his side his own gang, the Chinese despite them being formerly allied with the Lees, Cain who had nothing to do with the mafia in the first place, normal people like Eiji and Ibe, journalists like Max and Jessica, a former assassin like Blanca and (even if they do not have an active role) some policemen like Charlie and Jenkins. This is a pretty eterogenic group and its diversity has probably to do with the fact that Ash himself is a pretty peculiar character:

He is a street kid, but he has also been taught by extremely competent and overpaid teachers. He knows what it is like to have to struggle in order to gain enough money and he is also able to recognize a wine after having just tasted it. Basically, because of his own background, Ash is in a position where he got to create bonds with the most disparate people and by the end all these people (or at least most of) come together in order to help him.

Among these bonds there are two which contrast with the one Ash has with Dino. They are the ones with Eiji and Max.

As a matter of fact Dino’s relationship with Ash is disturbingly both parental and romantic:

So, Max and Eiji offer Ash a healthier version of both these two kinds of bonds.

When it comes to Eiji in particular, I would like to illustrate said bond with an example which has to do with a minor detail i.e. the jade as a symbol related to Ash.

Ash’s second name is Jade and we are told that both Ash’s first and second names were chosen by his mother. Ash’s mother is a character who is often mentioned in the narrative, but who never appears and Ash’s feelings towards her are never elaborated.

What is sure is that Ash has ambivalent feelings for his mother:

As it can be seen above he both excuses and condemns her behaviour and it is possible that he is simply left wondering what motivated her:

In short, Ash’s mother is an ambiguous character within the narrative and so it is the association of the jade with Ash.

On one hand when it is Dino the one who draws this connection the jade becomes simply another way he has to objectify Ash:

On the other hand when it is Eiji the one who does the jade becomes a symbol of the beauty of Ash’s existence:

This is because Eiji more than anyone else is the one who took a long look at Ash’s life and at him as a person, saw someone beautiful and gave Ash this positive feedback on who he is.

When it comes to Max and Ash’s relationship, it will be explored in the next section.

MAX AND ASH: LO THE POOR PEACOCK

If Dino is somehow another version of Jim, Max is one of Griffin with whom he has been personally connected since the beginning.

Just like Griffin Max is there to offer the example of a positive parental figure and this is obvious since his early interactions with Ash in prison.

Let us consider this possible easter-egg/lucky coincidence:

Even if it might not have been something wanted Bull whom Ash fights in episode 4 looks very similar to the only picture of Ash’s baseball coach we have. Being it the animators’ intention or not is not important. What is important is that both are people who were interested in Ash in a sexual way and who tried to impose themselves on him and that in both cases Ash reacted violently.

Let’s also underline that both times Ash is left alone to face a potentially dangerous person by authority figures. As a matter of fact Jim leaves him alone when the baseball coach abuses him, whereas Max decides to give up the task of protecting Ash and leaves him to share his cell with Bull. However, Max is quick to rethink things and even if he arrives late he is still able to stop Ash from killing Bull:

So, while Jim lets Ash become a murderer, Max manages to stop Ash from killing and he does so by saying that killing Bull would just mean for Ash to throw his own life away.

In short, Max has the potential to be a positive influence in Ash’s life especially when it comes to Ash’s psychological well-being. This is mostly because Max and Ash often finds themselves facing similar struggles and are often paralleled throughout the series.

For example, during their journey to LA they both have to meet their family whom they left. Plus they both have to solve father-child issues even if they find themselves in opposite roles when it comes to this relationship. Moreover, while Max is the one who forces Ash to go see his father, Ash is the one who calls both Jessica and Max out on the way their divorce is impacting Michael:

In short, they help each other making progress through being respectively Max a surrogate father to Ash and Ash a surrogate son to Max.

Their parallelism continues for the majority of the series and I don’t think it is necessary to explore it more than this, since it is obvious both when it happens and its meaning.

However, it is important to underline two things.

1) Despite being paralled when it comes to a key moment and Max being a mentor figure to Ash, he fails to confront Ash about said moment.

2) As the series progresses Max’s impact as a helper weakens.

1) The moment I am talking about is of course Ash killing Shorter. Ash himself is the one who unknowingly draws the parallel between what Max did and what Ash himself will do in the future:

Despite what he says here, Ash manages to forgive Max and recognizes that he was simply projecting his own pain and grief on him:

However, he fails to do the same when it comes to himself. It is actually interesting that the narrative avoids any kind of confrontation between Ash and Max when it comes to Shorter’s death. After all, Max knows what it means to feel guilt over hurting one’s best friend and he is one of the few witnesses of what happened to Shorter, so the set-up for a confrontation is there. I am not saying Max is a bad person or a bad parental figure, but simply underlining how Ash will keep feeling guilty about Shorter until his death and it is interesting that none of his father figures addresses the topic and the only person in the series who does and tries to reassure Ash is Eiji aka a peer:

I am also sure that if Max were given the chance he would have told Ash something very similar to what Eiji said. Still, the fact he doesn’t ties to what I am going to discuss in point 2).

2) When I say that Max becomes less impactful as a helper I don’t mean that he becomes useless. After all, he keeps investigating BF, burns Ash’s pictures telling him that he should not feel controlled by his past and by the end he manages to bring to light the truth about the politicians abusing children.

Still, as the series progresses, his screentime is reduced as it is his involvement in the main plot and his ability to face more and more dangerous situations.

This becomes obvious in the mental hospital arc which is a turning point when it comes to Max’s role in the story.

First of all let’s consider this:

At the beginning of the arc we are told that Ash is not a child anymore. This is fitting considering what happens in this arc when it comes to Max and Ash’s relationship.

I think this scene synthetizes the whole matter:

Max and Ibe go to the mental centre in order to save Ash, but end up being saved instead. In short, once again the equilibrium between a parental figure and their child shifts in a way that it is the child the one saving the parent.

This is also coherent with the short story Lo, the Poor Peacock which is used as the title of episode 16.

This story focuses on the relationship between a father and his daughter and how, as the time passes and the family keeps facing more and more struggles, the father becomes less and less competent in the eyes of the daughter and in the end the daughter makes herself independent from her parent and the family overcomes their crisis.

In a sense, we can say that the episode with this title marks a similar moment in Ash and Max’s relationship since after this point Max appears less and Blanca arrives to substitude him as a mentor figure.

Moreover, Blanca’s appearance makes a pattern clear. During the narrative Ash meets several authority figures who are willing to help him, but progressively they all disappear and give space to another one. Moreover, as the series progresses, each authority figure who guides Ash appears more detached from society.

As a matter of fact the first adults who want to help Ash are Charlie and Jenkins who are policemen and who ask Max to look after Ash in prison. What is more, they manage to have Ash released. However, after Ash escapes they basically disappear from the narrative and are not able to help Ash anymore.

Max is the second authority figure Ash meets. He is an ex-cop and a journalist who is ready to break the law when necessary. He is basically an in-between society and a world without laws.

Finally, the third authority figure who influences Ash is Blanca who is an assassin without a social identity.

What is more, as time passes and Ash is guided by each one of these authority figures he himself assumes in society a role which mirrors each one of them. In the beginning he is a person who is accused of a murder he did not committ, then he becomes an escapee and finally a deadman.

What is important in relation to Max and Ash is that Max represents for Ash the chance to go back to the normal world and the hope to be free from his past:

However, in the end it is not Max’s (or Eiji’s for that matter) POV the one Ash embraces, but Blanca’s which is far more pessimistic. This seems to be underlined by the fact Max and Ash’s relationship, despite being incredibly important, lacks a proper conclusion, especially in the manga. As a matter of fact the anime added a scene where Ash sends Max a message, but in the manga this is the last scene where we see Max:

He is seen worrying for Ash and is not shown to have received any news from him. This is similar to what happens to Eiji with whom Ash won’t talk anymore once the battle is over. In short, Eiji and Max who are Ash’s two most positive relationships are not given a proper closure in the sense that Ash avoids having  a last conversation with them, whereas he has a meaningful one with the last of his parental figures aka Blanca.

ASH AND BLANCA: MURDERERS

Ash’s pumpkin story metaphorically represents two distinctive traumas: being left behind and being forced to commit violent acts.

Blanca is linked to both.

As a matter of fact he is the one who taught Ash how to efficiently kill and he left the child despite him being basically the only positive presence in Ash’s life in that moment.

When it comes to these two aspects of Blanca and Ash’s relationship, Angel Eyes offers some interesting details:

Ash is shown not to bring anything with him in prison, but a copy of Islands in the Streams which is Blanca’s favourite book. This clearly shows how Ash has taken Blanca’s abandonment pretty hard and how he is still coping with it. Actually, the whole side story can be seen as Ash slowly overcoming Blanca’s departure through creating a genuine connection with Shorter.

Let’s also consider this:

Ash has been trying to learn how to control himself and how to apply the techniques Blanca taught him in order to protect himself in a non lethal way.

This is not something which is only mentioned in Angel Eyes:

Ash is said several times to lack control and this is actually one of the things others are mostly scared of when it comes to him. In the series itself Ash comments how this is at least partially Blanca’s fault:

Blanca taught him several assassination techniques and made Ash even more accostumed to violence. Still, he left him without teaching him how to better control his violent tendencies and Ash has no choice, but to try to cope with this side of his personality on his own. However, he doesn’t have the instruments to do so and so he is never able to fully succeed.

What is interesting is Blanca’s answer to Ash’s remark:

He was not ordered to. This answer synthetizes Blanca as a character exactly as the title of his favourite book: Islands in the Stream.

This title suggests passivity and loneliness. These are Blanca’s two main attributes and they are immediately underlined in his conversation with Ash:

Blanca has a fatalistic mindset which his rooted in his guilt over his violent lifestyle and the death of his wife. What is more, when it comes to Natasha it is obvious that Blanca is projecting his own experience on Ash:

“I was surprised when I heard you went against the monsieur. I thought you had already gone over your past”

This is false. Eiji is not the reason why Ash has entered into a conflict with Dino. BF and Griffin and Skip’s deaths are. However, Blanca is not talking about Ash in the scene above, but about himself:

Him marrying Natasha was his first act of rebellion and it led to Natasha’s death which led to him defecting. He is seeing what happened to him repeating itself with Ash. However, Blanca’s whole pov is biased and is influenced by his own unsolved issues.

This is why Blanca’s arc is about leaving his own nichilistic mindset behind:

However, as he moves towards Ash’s mindset, Ash moves towards his, at least when it comes to Eiji:

This is tragic and it is the reason why in the end Ash and Blanca’s goodbye is bittersweet:

Just when Blanca has made some steps towards a more hopeful future where he can allow himself to have some form of genuine connection without feeling guilty, Ash has fully embraced his mentor’s POV. This is why Ash’s answer to Blanca’s request is negative.

Moreover Blanca makes it too late since he should have asked Ash when the kid was fourteen.

As a matter of fact Blanca tends to always be late.

He comes back in Ash’s life too late. He understands that Ash staying with Dino endangers Ash’s survival too late. He calls Yut Lung out too late, he goes to stop the Chinese guys from shooting Eiji too late and so on. He also joins Ash’s side at the last minute and waits for Dino to kill Foxx.

Because of this, it makes sense that Blanca, despite having a positive arc, doesn’t truly complete it because the person who could have helped him has assumed a pessimistic viewpoint thanks, among other things, to Blanca’s own influence.

What is more, Blanca coming into the narrative doesn’t only contribute to a shift in Ash’s character arc, but it determines a subtle change of focus in the whole series.

Let us consider this:

Here Ash is asking Kippard something important which could lead the investigation on BF to a completely new direction. However, when Kippard is about to answer he is killed by Blanca and this plot point (aka who is the person behind it all) is never mentioned again. At the same time, from here on out the drug loses its central role within the plot and becomes less and less important. If until this point Ash’s objective has been to discover the truth about BF and to make it public he will give up this idea and will have to deal with other problems which will present themselves to him. Finally, all evidence of BF is lost in the final battle and Ash’s hope to make the people realize how rotten the society really is is not accomplished, at least not to its full potential.

In short, Blanca’s arrival introduces a nihilistic pov and a shift in focus which leads to a somewhat somber conclusion thematically speaking.

However, Blanca’s pov is not the only one present in the series and it is not the only one Ash moves towards as the story progresses:

Since the beginning Ash and Eiji are introduced as two people who have to integrate with each other in order to grow. Between them, though, the one who is able to almost complete such an integration is mostly Eiji and not Ash.

He stops blaming himself, leads an assault in order to help Ash and physically protects Ash at least twice (when he acts as bait in the sewers and when he shields Ash from the Chinese pair shooting at them).

In short, as the story progresses Eiji is able to start developing in Ash’s direction, whereas Ash can only move some small steps towards Eiji.

These steps consist mostly in Ash learning to let his guard down around Eiji and in him showing vulnerability. As a matter of fact just like the only way for Eiji to grow is to face a violent world, to accept it and to come up with his own original answer to it, Ash’s growth consists in him slowly discovering that there is another kind of world where he does not need to always be aware of danger and to always feel pain and stress. However, the problem is that in order to properly and fully discover such a world Ash should try to live in it for a while and this is a chance he does not get. Because of this, Ash showing vulnerability becomes dangerous on multiple occasions for both him and others. Still, this has not to do with the fact that it is something wrong, but that the context Ash is in is wrong.

About this, it is interesting to note that there is some kind of asymmetry in Ash and Eiji’s relationship.

Eiji gets to go to where Ash is born, he meets Ash’s friends and talks Ash’s language, whereas Ash does not do any of those things and the narrative makes it clear that he should in order to reach a positive resolution:

Still, he can’t because of external obstacles linked to Dino and BF and once he finally overcomes said obstacles he has partially embraced Blanca’s nichilism which is at odds with Eiji’s optimism.

By the end Ash can’t choose between these two opposite view points and keeps changing his mind and flip-flopping between them. In short, he is stuck.

ASH AS JACK O’ LANTERN: STUCK BETWEEN HELL AND HEAVEN

The idea of Ash being stuck brings us back to the Jack o’ Lantern costume with which this meta started.

As a matter of fact, according to the legend, Jack-o’-Lantern is a soul who can go neither to heaven because of his sins nor to hell since he tricked the devil in order to avoid damnation.

In short, he is stuck between the two dimensions and can’t rest.

This is similar to Ash being stuck between two points of view until the very end.

At the same time, these two philosophies are not the only things Ash appears stuck between.

In this meta @hamliet underlines how within the series Ash is constantly compared to both a God and a Devil and how these opposite kinds of imagery end up dehumanizing him.

Similarly, the story makes it clear that there are two sides of Ash which strongly contrast each other.

On one hand Ash is a child feeling pain and crying:

On the other hand he is a person ready to kill and to commit crimes others would not dare to:

Ash is both and has trouble reconciling these two sides of himself.

All in all, Ash is a character who is trapped both physically and mentally. He is trapped by Dino and by his past experiences and he is trapped by his self-hate which is what in the end stops him from taking flight both physically and metaphorically.

[stormbornspawn]

Winterfell - Season 8, Episode 1 Review

My thoughts on every (I think every? let me know if I missed any) scene from the Season 8 premiere episode.

Arrival - there was nothing wrong with this scene at all. Everything about it was expected. The northerners being apprehensive is exactly what I anticipated. Give it up for Jon and Dany looking regal AF in this scene. Good lord. Arya watching this whole scene play out was really great as a call back to season 1. Love the proud mama look from Dany as her babies fly overhead and scare the living shit out of everyone below. And did you notice her hair is in the shape of a heart? Tyrion and Varys banter is always welcomed and encouraged.

Winterfell courtyard - frosty is the only word that really feels right here. Dany’s trying to make a good impression and doesn’t get pressed when nobody kneels. Jon bent the knee - they should be on their knees, but no worries. She’s gonna overlook that cuz it’s her boo-thang’s family. All in good time. Bran coming up with the - we have no time for this - and dropping the Viserion bomb was way too rushed. This is the first issue I have with this episode. Dany’s dragons are often referred to as her children, yet hearing that one of them has been enslaved is completely glossed over and cut to next scene. This should have been a much bigger deal. Not just for Dany, but for everyone. Jon should have needed to take her somewhere to console her...you know, somewhere private...

The Great Hall - how many times does JOn have to remind these people that they are going to die without Dany’s help? Do they not believe him? I realize there are only a few people that have actually seen the army of the dead, but come on. I don’t expect anyone to be swearing fealty to Dany at this point, but a modicum of appreciation would be nice. She abandoned her campaign for this war and lost a dragon. Why did nobody bring this up? Lyanna Mormont needs to sit down - she almost called Jon a bastard and I was about to come up out of my chair. Sansa whinging about food - like, you knew they were coming and you are just now concerned about this? Dany holding her composure through that took some serious control. Her little clap back was good - whatever they want - that’s right, because they’re goddam dragons. I did like that Jon and Dany seemed to inch closer and closer to each other throughout the scene and the little look while Tyrion was talking was cute. Tyrion was well-intentioned, but they still won’t listen.

Sansa and Tyrion - I was waiting for this reunion and it did not disappoint. I would have liked to see Tyrion quell some of Sansa’s concerns as it relates to Dany. I was a tad concerned about the side eye that Bran was giving Tyrion at the end. Bran knows some things, so I’m curious what goods he has on Tyrion.

Jon & Arya - LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I was prepared to be underwhelmed here, but her jumping into Jon’s arms was everything I needed. The talk about family and Sansa being the smartest person Arya knows - yeah, didn’t see Arya siding with Sansa over Jon, but I get it. How is that dynamic of supporting family going to play out when it’s public knowledge that Jon is not their brother, but a cousin? I was also a little miffed that nobody brought up Littlefinger and that Dany and Arya were not formally introduced.

Euron/Yara/Cersei/Theon/GC - This whole segment of the show was just okay for me. I didn’t care for the dialogue. I love Pilou as an actor, but some of his lines were just cringe - I’m gonna put a prince in your belly. Like, wtf? I kind of felt a little bad for Cersei (well, not really) that she had to sleep with him and Lena brought the power in the after math of that scene. She’s brilliant and it will be the travesty of the year if she doesn’t finally get her Emmy. Theon finally rescuing Yara and making the decision to go and fight for the Starks - let’s get that ball rolling...even though I really enjoy Yara, I don’t think we will see her until way later in the season. The GC - and no elephants - wtf? Well, whatever...I would have rather had Ghost - and that’s the second big thing wrong with this episode. There was plenty of time.

Bronn - why? Completely unnecessary to have all the tits and ass in this episode. I know it’s classic GOT, but we are all over that element, I think, and it could have easily been him in a brothel and Qyburn comes to see him without all that sexposition. I don’t like the crossbow thing especially with all the talk about Dany getting hit with an arrow or a well-placed bolt.

Davos/Tyrion/Varys - can we give it up for Davos finally speaking the truth - Dany is a just woman and Jon is an honorable man - yes, please. Get married, make babies, and save the realm. Why Varys and Tyrion weren’t all over that - I don’t know. Tyrion wasn’t completely opposed to it, but Varys seemed rather extra cynical just then.

Jon & Dany - a lot to break down in this scene. Dany knows Sansa hates her and is really concerned that if she can’t even get her to respect her than the north is not going to fall in line either - that’s my interpretation of the scene. Jon saying that Sansa didn’t like them when they were growing up either was cute. Now, why in the hell are my baby dragons not eating? They hate the north? Or maybe, just maybe, they can sense that their momma isnt quite welcome there and they are feeling that emotion. I am shook that Jon got to ride the dragon (well, another one ;)) before learning about his Targ history. I saw this scene as Dany really letting him know, babe, I love you and I am willing to let you babysit my kids if needed. That 1000 years comment is coming back around again for sure. That waterfall and smooching scene was not for me - I ship them and know they are in love - that scene was for anyone that didn’t really pay attention in season 7 or read any interviews from anyone ever to just solidify that they are truly in love. Okay - it was for me too - I’m on my 3,487th rewatch. My prediction for why the dragons are acting funny - they know momma is carrying that man’s baby and they are overprotective. @me

Jon & Sansa - Sansa, why? All these two do is argue and it’s starting to piss me off. She says she trusts Jon and has faith in him, but then doesn’t trust Jon and has no faith in his decisions. They needed Dany and her armies and dragons and he got her to come there. This is why he left in the first place. She does have a valid question though - did you bend the knee for the north or because you love her? It’s a legit question, JON!! Answer. It’s both. That is the big theme of this season - love versus duty - and Jon can do both and will need to balance them both.

Arya/Gendry/Hound - the Hound and Arya was hysterical and I love the banter between Arya and Gendry. It’s like they picked up right where they left off. Can’t wait to see where this goes.

Dany/Sam/Jorah - This is tough for me. I am a Dany stan through and through, but I did not agree with her decision to burn the Tarly’s. At least not both of them. I do find it hypocritical when people chastise her for something that men have done for ages and hold her to a different standard though. I didn’t care for what she did, but I understand it. Sam’s reaction was expected and I do feel very sorry for him. I wish Dany had exhibited a little bit of remorse. Even if she wasn’t sorry, knowing he is JOn’s best friend, should have made her say - I’m so sorry. Just something.

The Reveal - I hated everything about this. Sam didn’t tell Jon as a friend. He told him in a fit of rage to try and turn Jon against Dany. I’m not okay with this. Jon wasn’t having it either. Jon executed Janos Slynt for much less. And Sam is the same person who told Jon they needed Roose BOlton’s help after the Red Wedding and told Olly to forget about his family being slaughtered by the Wildings. It’s a bit different when it’s your own family, but double standards much? Jon wasn’t having it, so I’m good with that - he’s still gonna have some words with his queen later. The reveal pissed me off because I think Sam should have come at it from a place of tenderness and instead it was bitterness about Dany and this news is gonna fuck her up. He doesn’t know they are together and he doesn’t really know her. I was pissed AF with the line - you gave up your crown for your people - would she do the same? Okay - when is someone going to bring up the fact that Jon bent the knee AFTER she agreed to fight for the north? And, please - she abandoned her fight for King’s Landing to turn her armies north and help fight. So, yeah, she would. This was the scene I was most disappointed with. John and Kit did a great job, but the writing was atrocious. All I can see is that they are setting this episode up to carry all the angst forward until the Night King is knocking on their door and then - just as Jon said - it won’t matter.

Umber - what the actual fuck? But I’m glad to see Tormund, Beric, and Edd.

Jaime/Bran - he’s waiting for an old friend!! GAAAHHHH!! I can’t wait to see the shit storm that his presence is going to bring in episode 2. That preview got my dragon momma heated.

Overall, I’d give the episode a 7/10. It was definitely not the strongest episode in the series and I blame that on choppy transitions and weird almost campy dialogue. Episode two better bring a little more grounding to the show, because I was not overly impressed with those 54 minutes. There were some great things that happened - dragon date, arrival, reunions, and how much was my girl Dany smiling this episode?? I’ve never seen her smile this much in seven seasons. Guess a good dicking down and falling in love will do that to you. The dialogue and lack of timeline really killed it for me though. As well as the glossing over of what I thought were really important storylines.

Let me know if you want to discuss.

[ghostmartyr]

SnK 111 Thoughts

If this chapter doesn’t have forty pages of chibi Eren wandering through the woods asking where his nii-san is, what even is the point.

(The point is Drama.

Intrigue.

Fluid.)

Thanks, I hate it?

So yikes, we have a proper ballgame going and everything is awful leading into the ninth inning. It’s going to be extra innings with Paradis’ chief closer out of commission, up against their rival team. Truly one for the record books, people.

First thing is actually first, where the manga, in a fit of hysterics, gives me something I wanted: Numbers.

Over a hundred people have joined Eren’s side, deserting their posts. The suspicion is that they’ve done this out of the belief that the people with the power to rain down armageddon are maybe the safest shadows to hide under, and hey, with all the waffling their government has done about solving the problem of the whole world wanting them dead, why not?

For the larger groups, everything makes a simple amount of sense.

Eren has power, so people gather behind him.

Eren has power, so Paradis will yield to it for the sake of survival.

It’s a bit of a horrifying story, and one that I always take some joy in seeing. There comes a point where individuals have so much power where the only thing stopping them from changing the world however they see fit is their own boundaries.

Whatever Eren’s boundaries are, they’ve changed. He’s willing to kill children for the sake of his mission.

He is the most powerful card Paradis has, and without him, they have nothing.

Leaving them stuck doing whatever he wants them to.

It’s a similar tactic to the one he uses to drag the Survey Corps into his massacre; they need Eren, so they have no choice but to come support him in the choices he’s made as an individual. Everything else falls away in the face of the power Eren wields.

Yeah, the head of their government has been assassinated by his cult. Along with several other lives.

So?

Does that fundamentally change anything?

Does Paradis somehow need the Founding Titan less now that their command is facing disarray?

For a story so often pointing out that if you don’t fight, you can’t win, it’s pretty damn... something that the main character has all but removed the ability of a party he’s allied with to fight. They can’t resist him, and he knows it, and he’s exploiting it at his convenience.

Putting Zeke’s location on the negotiating table is cute, and a nice stall tactic in theory, but for all that Pixis says it’s not submission, Paradis is powerless.

If they don’t conduct rumbling experiments, they have no protection against the world.

They can’t conduct rumbling experiments unless they let the Yeager Bros come into contact.

If the Yeager Bros come into contact, they can do whatever the hell they want.

Which they have already been doing, so picture all of this, only more.

Pixis’ decision is really the only one he can make if he doesn’t want their people at each other’s throats. They can’t publicize how their one and only hope is willing to dismantle their government. They can’t publicize that they can’t trust their military to be acting in the interests that the government puts forth.

There’s a delicate balance here, with the balance being a complete lie because security has already toppled off and discovered that there’s no net below.

Their only prayer is someone swooping in and placing a trampoline down below before the crushing fall is completed, and there’s no guarantee of even that much happening.

If Zeke and Eren don’t want to help, no one can actually force them.

Zeke is one of two living humans in the world who can power the Founding Titan.

Eren currently has the Founding Titan.

They can’t kill Eren outside of a controlled environment, or else the Founding Titan will go who knows where. With Eren’s pile of abilities he’s nommed, fighting to subdue him will be next to impossible. With the added limitation of doing everything they can to avoid killing him?

Armin brings it up as a point of faith; if Eren has the Founding Titan, it shouldn’t matter what Zeke wants out of it.

Eren now has a cult who doesn’t blink twice at assassinating key government officials. Even if it doesn’t matter what Zeke wants, what Eren wants, or is at least willing to put up with, is heavily alarming.

“No, no, we’re not submitting. We’re negotiating.

What do you mean the only thing we have is something we’d have to hand over anyway to get what we want.”

Like.

Hell, man, talk the good game all you want to keep morale up, but you people and your entire society now rise and fall at the whim of a man who has put no effort into making himself look trustworthy.

So, you know.

Ganbatte.

Other special numbers include thirty soldiers + Levi standing in between Eren and Zeke once Eren finds Zeke, Hange, and three unnamed soldiers who are either about to be very dead, very traitor, or the coolest NPC badasses ever.

Meanwhile, Eren still has a hundred.

Just trailing around after him.

With bombs.

Considering Eren could kill most all of those people (except Levi and Hange) without help, I repeat the theme of this post that Paradis is so beyond screwed it has actually become laughable.

Another fun thing of note that only I care about is that even if Eren can’t get to Zeke, he might be able to get to Historia, and Nile appears to be in charge of her security.

The reason only I care about this is because Nile is in charge of her security, and Nile has been fed the story of Historia and NPC Farmer Guy being totes in love 5evr.

(NPC Farmer Guy has no name and no face. I declare him Red Shirt-san, and also reallllllly fucking dead. Especially if my crack theory of the carriage from last chapter rushing off to Historia was correct, meaning that Pieck, theoretically having tracked the carriages, is going to pay the Queen a visit.

Bye Nate.

(his name’s Nate your canon is invalid))

Briefly defending my descent into self-interest, Historia getting zero panels and barely any hearsay about her is driving me nuts for all sorts of reasons.

Two people (count them, two), in the entire world, are capable of drawing out the power of the Founding Titan. One of them is an untrustworthy dick. The other is Historia.

Historia, when last seen under extreme emotional duress, was of the opinion of, “fuck humanity titans did nothing wrong.”

As we can plainly see from her expression at the end of 107, there is nothing but blue skies and happiness going through her boundless considerations of humanity now, and she is most assuredly, definitely on their side as all of her friends ditch her in the middle of the woods and never visit or mention any concern for her except that one guy who has taken up murdering children, and he possibly did that in active defiance of concern for what problems it might cause her.

What could possibly go wrong.

There are about three people who hold the fate of Eldia in their hands, and we know what none of them are thinking. They also all have a much more casual relationship with murder than most of the rest of the cast.

What I’m trying to say is that Paradis your politics are boring because your livelihood hinges on three catastrophically emotionally damaged people, and all of the story’s energy is going towards keeping those people away from thought bubbles or general illumination.

If Historia, Eren, and Zeke decide that you guys die............ you die.

You possibly should have invested more in strategies that weren’t so entirely dependent on renegade children following orders.

Okay okay, enough pointing and laughing at the futility of government in shounen. Mikasa! How you liking your entire page of dialogue! Does it feel good? Does it make up for the gaping hole Eren being a nutcase is causing?

Of course it does!

I don’t know how I feel about Kiyomi, but I am glad that her relationship with Mikasa is so obvious in its self-interest. Mikasa isn’t being yanked around; she knows this person caring about her blood hasn’t translated to caring about her people.

Whatever Mikasa’s genes, Paradis is her home, and she considers herself as Eldian as anyone on it.

What’s interesting in that conversation is that Hizuru is still doing what it can to avoid being an ally of Paradis. They’re letting this one clan mess around, but unless results can be produced, the whole scheme is dead to them.

...

You know. Paradis had better start hoping that there’s still some massive secret to the Titans, because with the current knowledge available, they are just... so incredibly screwed on so many different levels.

I’m inclined to think that Kiyomi wanting Mikasa safe is one of the few shreds of honesty she has left. I’m an optimist. A child connected to the days of honor long gone... hey, it’s a romantic concept, even conniving foxes can have one last hurrah in them.

But also, Mikasa just doesn’t deserve people piling more lies on her.

A promise to protect someone calls to her heart. I’m sure Mikasa has thought those words to herself many times; whatever happens to Paradis, her priority has always been her family. Not a blood family, like Kiyomi holds on to, but one bound to her with ties of steel.

Only now her family is at odds.

Mikasa might care more about her family than anything else, but in practice, she’s a compassionate, responsible young woman. She can’t turn her back on the world just because her family has. She’s going to bleed herself dry trying to do the best for both of them.

That’s not a happy thought, because even if Mikasa, with all her strength and ability, fights for anyone in this conflict with all her heart, the concept of winning is a far off dream. Her supernatural gifts don’t make the world turn. Her gifts simply mean she might survive when everything around her explodes.

Yuck.

And also hey, Connie, I love you man, but you turn those angry eyes away from Mikasa pronto.

Then we’ve got the many trials of Nicolo.

Featuring Gabi and Falco.

...

I don’t wanna. I can skip this part.

Uggghgghghhgh.

Hell, this is a lot faster than I thought this disaster would come out, and it’s a lot grimmer than I really want and in general just ow.

Nicolo is a prisoner of war. He is allowed to cook. He finds light in cooking for people like Sasha. He’s Marleyan, and Eldians are devils, but being around them, his heart softens to them, and his role becomes something more complicated.

As a soldier, fighting the demons of Paradis is just what you do.

As a person, fighting people like Sasha, Jean, and Connie...

With a heavy heart, he can hand off laced wine to their superiors. He can continue to operate as a soldier fighting against Paradis. But the very thought of Connie and Jean being caught up in that sends him into a panic, and he falls back on racist rhetoric to cover it up.

Rhetoric his heart isn’t even in anymore, because more than killing, Nicolo finds himself in cooking. In bringing people happiness.

And Gabi killed the person who shows him that. The person who gave him solace from the hell of war.

It doesn’t matter that she’s a child, or a Warrior Candidate, or anything but the person who killed Sasha.

She cares about Falco’s life. That comes to stand as another condemnation of her. She knows what it is to care about someone? She’s valued enough that this boy is willing to jump in front of a blow meant for her?

Did she think the person she killed wasn’t?

It’s destructive and awful, and Gabi finally has a defense for herself that isn’t just brainwashed rage at the island. That girl? The one she shot? That’s the girl who shot someone she knew. Guards who watched over Warrior Candidates training, in charge of penning up Eldians, but they were still people Gabi saw a home in.

She can’t justify the loss of Sasha, but she can justify shooting back, especially at someone who just clubbed Falco in the head.

But she’s still just a brainwashed child.

Sasha’s father watches two people, profoundly touched by his daughter, ripping each other apart because they’re in pain. Sasha changes Nicolo for the better. Sasha and her path in life is what’s breaking this child.

A child is calling his daughter a devil. She’s been brought into this conflict and all she sees is the enemy, and the good there must be in fighting that enemy.

Gabi doesn’t even try to fight back when Sasha’s father holds up the knife.

She’s bleeding and in tears, and for one of the only times, she isn’t reacting with violence. She’s just a stunned little kid, wondering if the people who’ve fed and housed her on this island of evil are about to kill her. Like she killed the daughter they loved so much.

Of course the man who raised Sasha doesn’t lay a finger on her.

Of course the man who has to physically hold down his child to try to force her to stop eating so she won’t die of starvation later understands how hard the world is.

Horrific things have happened.

He isn’t going to bring one more into this world.

And Gabi... from the very start, she’s been the most passionate about becoming a Warrior. She’s going to follow in her cousin’s footsteps. She’ll commit war crimes, she’ll take on a death sentence, she’ll do whatever it takes. She’s a Warrior.

She’s a kid.

She doesn’t want these kind people to hate her.

Kaya reacts the same way Gabi has to everything so far. She charges in with the only weapon she can find, trying to kill the problem because the emotional strain of what’s actually going on is too big for her young heart to take.

Kaya, who really has been kind. Who’s the reason they’re here. Who’s been trying to get her and Falco home.

Kaya’s in tears, and Falco’s unconscious and bleeding.

All because of what Gabi’s done.

Nicolo sees the same thing.

That’s why he comes clean.

The world is such a cruel place.

They’ve got to spare the beauty where they find it.

I’m not going to touch that plot bomb, because the manga can do it for me in future chapters. Zeke having a bunch of government officials drink his spinal fluid is honestly on par with every other thing he’s done, so. One more point to the Paradis Screwed column.

So last word goes to Mikasa.

I mentioned in the chapter where Louise and Mikasa talked that Louise had seen Mikasa’s strength impact her life, but completely missed the kindness behind that strength. Mikasa is terrifying as a soldier. She’s cold and relentless.

As a person, she will ask the child who killed her friends to see her wounds, and hold her close to keep another child from hurting her.

Mikasa is kind.

Gabi has met so many good people on this island, and all of them are in tears.

It’s funny and sad that Mikasa and Armin take her into the back room to calm down. For all their lives practically, they’ve been looking after a reckless wild child who gets into fights they have to finish for him.

Gabi is as driven and passionate and full of anguish as Eren as a child, and now she’s with two of the people who know that.

Armin and Mikasa might not know how to help Eren, but they can help this little girl.

And Mikasa can keep another little girl from knowing what it’s like to knife someone in the back because they killed someone you love.

Welcome to Emotions.

Where everything is absolutely awful except maybe the people feeling them.

[pamphletstoinspire]

Prodigal Son Sunday: 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This past Sunday marks one of only two times in the main Lectionary cycle that we hear the Parable of the Prodigal Son proclaimed (the other being the 4th Sunday of Lent Cycle - [C]). The Readings are marked by the theme of repentance and forgiveness.

1. Our First Reading is Ex 32:7-11, 13-14:

The LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once to your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, for they have become depraved. They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them, making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it, sacrificing to it and crying out, ‘This is your God, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!’ “I see how stiff-necked this people is, ” continued the LORD to Moses. Let me alone, then, that my wrath may blaze up against them to consume them. Then I will make of you a great nation.”

The context of this First Reading is immediately after the “Golden Calf” incident. To recap, God had sent Moses to the Israelites as they were enslaved in Egypt, and through might miracles brought them out of Egypt and into the Sinai desert, to Mount Sinai itself, where he entered into a solemn covenant with them (Exod 19-24, esp. ch. 24). A covenant is the extension of kinship by oath, so God’s covenant with Israel at Sinai (Exod 24) formed Israel into God’s children, his family. A blood ritual solemnized the covenant, as Moses splashed blood on both God’s altar and the people, symbolizing that God and the people were now one blood. But the blood ceremony also had a more ominous symbolism: “if I break the covenant, may my blood be shed, like this shed blood now being splashed on me.”

Forty days later, while Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving instructions for the building of the Tabernacle, the people of Israel defected from the covenant and broke their whole relationship with God. They built themselves an idol of a bull calf, probably representing the Egyptian god Apis whom they had once worshiped along the banks of the Nile. By breaking the covenant, they triggered on themselves the curse-meaning of the blood of the covenant: “may my blood be shed if I break my commitment…” That is why God says, “Let me alone … that my wrath may … consume them.” It is not the loss of God’s temper. It is God enforcing the terms of the covenant, which He is bound in justice to do. God tests Moses in this situation, creating the opportunity for Moses to intercede for the people, the opportunity for Moses to be like Christ. God says, “I will make of you a great nation.” This was the promise given to Abraham (Gen 12:2) so long ago. Thus, God is offering to “rewind” salvation history and start over with Moses as a new Abraham.

But Moses implored the LORD, his God, saying, “Why, O LORD, should your wrath blaze up against your own people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with such great power and with so strong a hand? Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and how you swore to them by your own self, saying, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; and all this land that I promised, I will give your descendants as their perpetual heritage.’” So the LORD relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on his people.

Moses rises to the opportunity to be a Christ-like intercessor for the people of God. Moses’ main argument is significant: “Remember your servant(s) Abraham … how you swore to them by your own self…” There is only one place earlier in Scripture where God explicitly swears by his own self, and that is Genesis 22:15-18, the great oath which God swears to Abraham after Abraham offers to God his “only begotten son” (RSVCE2). That is the great passage of the near-sacrifice of Isaac, called “the Aqedah” (“the Binding [of Isaac]”) in the Jewish tradition. It is the most important type or foreshadowing of Calvary in the Old Testament. One might just call it “the Calvary of the Old Testament.” It is crucial to recognize that at this pivotal moment in the history of God’s people, where they face deserved destruction for apostasy from God, Moses’ succeeds in his intercession by pleading Calvary, by appealing to the covenant that was re-affirmed after the willing sacrifice of the “only begotten son.” God affirms the validity of Moses’ appeal, and “relents” from punishment. God knew in his foreknowledge that he would do this, but he chose to include Moses in his plan of mercy for Israel, allowing Moses to take an active role in the administration of God’s forgiveness. He does this for us, too.

2. The Responsorial Psalm is Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19:

R. (Lk 15:18) I will rise and go to my father.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. R. I will rise and go to my father.

A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. Cast me not out from your presence, and your Holy Spirit take not from me. R. I will rise and go to my father.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit; a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn. R. I will rise and go to my father.

Psalm 51 is THE great psalm of repentance in the entire psalter, used in the Lectionary and the Liturgy of the Hours at those times in the Church calendar that most call for acts of contrition. Psalm 51 is attributed to David, upon the occasion of his repentance after having been rebuked by Nathan the prophet for killing Uriah and taking Bathsheba as his wife by force.

David’s words have resounded on the lips of repentant believers down through the centuries, unrivaled for bluntness and sincerity. David prays for “a clean heart” which God alone can “create” for him—it is not possible by human power. David had acted like Israel at the Golden Calf. Both David and Israel were recipients of covenants: Israel in Exodus 24, David in 2 Samuel 7. Both had the status of “sons of God” (Exod 4:22; PS 89:20-27). Both succumbed to sexual temptation (David with Bathsheba, 2 Sam 11; Israel when they “rose up to play,” a sexual euphemism Exod 32:6). Unlike Israel, David repents when rebuked. He returns to seek the LORD, whereas Israel would have continued astray had it not been for Moses. In this way, David represents an advance in spiritual understanding over against the behavior of Israel as a whole.

3. The Second Reading is 1 Tm 1:12-17:

Beloved: I am grateful to him who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me trustworthy in appointing me to the ministry. I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and arrogant, but I have been mercifully treated because I acted out of ignorance in my unbelief. Indeed, the grace of our Lord has been abundant, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am the foremost. But for that reason I was mercifully treated, so that in me, as the foremost, Christ Jesus might display all his patience as an example for those who would come to believe in him for everlasting life. To the king of ages, incorruptible, invisible, the only God, honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Lectionary is marching through St. Paul’s letters to individuals right now, and last week we read from Philemon. This week we read from the beginning of his first letter to Timothy, and the selection could scarcely fit better the themes of this Sunday’s Mass. Here we are reminded that St. Paul himself—like David, like Israel—was a great offender against God, who received mercy. Paul calls himself “the foremost” of sinners. Truly the company of the saints is better thought of as the assembly of those who embraced mercy, rather than of those who never needed it.

Gospel Luke 15:1-32:

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them he addressed this parable.

The Pharisees are offended that Jesus associates with “sinners,” not recognizing it to be a God-like trait, since God associated with sinners all through the Old Testament. In fact, Judah and his descendants included some of the worst of sinners.

“What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Jesus prefaces his great parable of the “lost son” with two smaller, down-to-earth examples from everyday life about the joy of finding something that was lost. The phrase “there will be rejoicing among the angels of God” is actually a bit of a mistranslation. It is literally, “there will be rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God.” It is not the angels who are rejoicing, per se. Someone else is rejoicing in front of the angels. Who is that? God Himself. But in keeping with Jewish piety, Jesus using circumlocutions to speak of the divine rejoicing.

Then he said, “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns, who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

This parable may be read in two ways. On the basic level, it is a story of forgiveness and reconciliation that teaches us about the character of God and his love for sinners. On a secondary level, it is a parable about the history of Israel. Israel divided into two kingdoms: the northern kingdom of “Ephraim” (the adopted youngest son of Jacob) and the southern kingdom of “Judah” (the son of Jacob who inherited the rights of the oldest son). Ephraim went astray and was taken into exile by Assyria (a far country). Judah, however, was only exiled for 70 years and then returned to stay by God’s “side” in the land of Israel. However, in the end it is “Ephraim” who returns to embrace God, while “Judah” resents God’s mercy.

This fits a theme through Luke-Acts, in which Luke shows that Samaritans (direct descendants of the northern kingdom “Ephraim”) and Gentiles (among whom other northern Israelites had assimilated) respond to the offer of God’s forgiveness in the Gospel, whereas the “Judeans”, descendants of southern Judah, resist the Gospel out of pride, and resent the Christian offer of a the “new covenant” to Samaritan and Gentile “sinners.”

Today’s Gospel speaks to us in two practical ways, depending on which “son” we are. Some of us at Mass this Sunday are the younger son, who have been going astray rather self-consciously. We “younger sons” need to be reassured of God’s forgivness. We need to pick up and leave the pig slop we’ve been wallowing in (whether that be substance abuse, porn, financial corruption, promiscuity, manipulation, etc.) and return to God, who is waiting to embrace us.

[Let us notice that the Father does not run after the son to the far country and pull him out of the muck. There is an act of repentance and renunciation that we must undertake before we can return to the Father. We do have to leave the pig sty.]

Others of us at Mass are the older brother. We think we are good, not in need of forgiveness, and God owes us something. We resent riff-raff hanging around, and in particular don’t want them in our churches or other places where we hang out.

We older brothers have no joy in our lives, because we really aren’t motivated by love, and don’t understand the God of love and joy. We need conversion as much as the younger son. We need to recognize “younger sons” as siblings, as family members, and share God’s joy at their repentance and reconciliation. God is not a businessman rewarding service in a tit-for-tat or quid-pro-quo manner. God is a father, who wants all his sons to share his love and joy.

From: https://www.pamphletstoinspire.com/

[0--shadow--0]

Asilla: Can you look past my scars to see what I truly am?

Ship: Asella

Pairing: Drusilla Blackthorn/Ash Morgenstern

Tags: betrayal, romance, love, happy ending, sweet

fandom: TMI/TDA

Theme Song:Nightcore I think I'm in love

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The day Ash laid eyes on Drusilla Blackthorn, he knew he had found someone to love and be friends with. Most people thought he was crazy with the "love at first sight", as mundanes liked to call it, and he knew it was an odd feeling but he knew she was the one. She wasn't scared like most people were with him. Being the son of Jonathan Morgenstern and the Queen of Seelie didn't help him in that department. All the people he met either wanted to kill him or feared him. Even his own family. His aunt hated him and she had tried quite a few times to throw him in jail or....even worse, give him over to the clave. And....that hurt, to know someone hated him so much that they'd let him be tortured by people who hated Downworlders and their half-breeds.

It burned a part in him that he didn't know if he could ever heal. He wanted with all his heart to fix the mistakes of his parents. To step out of their shadows and be his own person. To make his own destiny. To be allowed the right that everyone else was allowed but he wasn't. He had a mission from birth to fix what his family had done and he promised that he would. But doing it and saying it was so different that it was hard to actually do what he wanted. To clear the Morgenstern name for his children and their children and destroy the cycle that he was trapped in. Break the curse over the Morgenstern name. Yet, it was so much harder than one believed. Since everyone he met hated him with such a vile passion, of course, it would be hard. Just the mention of his family's name brought fear so deep it would take years to fix. But he would fix it, even if he had to die to fight for that name. He wouldn't back out and change his mind like so many of his family members. To be ashamed of his birthright would be like when he finally got his fey marks. It would be like cutting them out like a disease. He wouldn't. He would bare them proudly even if the cold peace still raged on. Once in a while, he would meet a person who was not scared but open and willing to accept change like he had when he met the Blackthorns. He would fight and he would keep going to make his family proud. To make the Blackthorns proud as they were so very kind to him. He pushed on to make them proud, to fix his father's name, to be something more. Something worthy of the title he was born into. Something....different.

He hated it, being born a half breed. Never being able to fit in with either of his kind. The fey feared him for being the son of the queen and the Shadowhunters hated him for being the son of their worst enemy. The evilest man they'd ever met. He wasn't even eighteen when he died. No, Ash didn't want that life. He just wanted his father back. He wanted his parents to be normal and have a regular life. That's not something he'd get, being born how he was. He was just not meant for this world. He was too powerful; too mixed; too different. It hurt him to not be able to fit in with either of his species. To be on the outside, looking in. For a fey Shadowhunter, there was only a few ever born. Hellen and Mark being the only other two alive and they came nowhere near close to his power. Yet, if he could he would love to trade places with either of them. But he could not because this was his birthright and he, alone, would fight it. Sometimes it was hard to have his family look at him with such hatred and fear and disgust. because He was simply born, he didn't ask for it. Honestly, he didn't even want it. He just wanted to be him. He just wanted to live quietly and simply, without the fuss of being who he was. Yet what he wanted and what we got were so different it was almost crazy. But there was never any use to fussing about it. He just had to get it done and over with.

When he had finally convinced his mother to let him come into the real world and leave fey, he first went to the New York Institute. He went to meet his aunts and uncles and hopefully his grandparents. Well, his step-grandfather and his grandmother as well. All he was met with was anger, fear, hatred, and surprise. Not at all what he wanted. Not what he deserved. Well, he guessed that's what he deserved after all. It was his fault, right? He had come too soon. He had not yet proven himself worthy of his name. All his aunt Clary did was try to throw him in jail. He didn't understand why he loved her. He just wanted to be a part of her family. He didn't want her to hate him. He just wanted her love but all she did was throw him out, saying "if you ever come back I'll call the cohort on you and then you'll be sorry..." which was cruel; mean. She knew that the cohort wanted only one thing and that was to kill all the downworlders. To destroy them, put them in camps, treat them like animals. What would they do to a half-breed, the son of Jonathan Morgenstern? The son of the Seelie queen and the only living heir to the throne. The only King of Fey. No, it wouldn't be good. Of course not, but that's what his aunt promised. She hated him that much, but why?

He understood he was Jonathan's only child but...she was given another chance, so why wasn't he? Was it because he looked too much like the Morgensterns from the past? Or was it because not a single Morgenstern man for three generations had been good? That wasn't his fault, he wished it had been different but it couldn't have been. The past isn't supposed to change, it's supposed to be looked back on. To show what we've come from and accomplished. To test our ways and come back stronger with every glance we take of our parents' mistakes. Hopefully, our world would be a better place but hardly, since it has been proven time and time again that we will follow our parents and make the same mistakes over and over again. Ash didn't want the throne, honestly. He had predecessors everything he wanted. He was born with a crown, a throne, and no one to stop him from having it. Yet.....he didn't want it. He never did and never will.

It still hurt knowing people hated him that much for his parents' misdeeds but that was okay. When he proved he was worthy to his family and fixed the mistakes of his parents and grandparents before him they would accept him back, right? Maybe. He hoped so but not everything worked out that way.

The next place he went to was the Los Angeles Institute to find that girl he saw in fey when he had been trapped by his uncle in the Unseelie realm. She was so nice that his heart did an odd thing that he had heard humans refer to as "butterflies". He was pretty sure that he'd never eaten any but then again, most things humans say are confusing to him. I guess that's only natural, him being of a different world and all. Being raised different, seelies and humans were nothing alike. Feys weren't able to lie. It stuck to their tongues like lead and weighed them down until a single word could not exit their mouths. They were stuck, not moving, so they changed. They adapted to fit into a world filled with lies. No, they aren't able to lie but they can bend the truth so that you'll never be able to know what they really mean from what they choose to say.

When going to the LA Institute he wasn't that scared. He was excited to meet the girl of his dreams, quite literally. The amazing girl that made everyone else fall so short of her beauty. When he walked up to the door he wanted to knock. It was to make a good impression since just walking into someone's home, no matter if it was open to any Shadowhunters or not, was quite rude in his book. He knocked and waited. He heard a voice on the other side grumble something about coming to the door and he looked at it, worried. Was he annoying the person behind it? That was no good at all. It simply wouldn't do.

All of a sudden the door was yanked open to show Julian Blackthorn, mid-hello when he looked shocked and tilted his head.

"Who the hell are you?" He asked, confused. Ash blinked, opening and closing his mouth a bit. He shook his head. No, no, this wouldn't do. He was a king, or soon to be anyway, he needed to act like one. So he drew himself up and spoke with a calm, even voice.

"My name's Ashen Morgenstern. I'm-" the door was shut in his face. He huffed. So much for good impressions, he thought bitterly, knocking again. Only for the door to be opened by someone else. Someone much, much more welcoming...

The girl. The really pretty girl from a fairy that he was looking for. His heart stopped. He felt like everything was in slow motion.

"Hi," he blushed, smiling at her. She looked at him kind of odd.

"Who are you?" She said. Ash smiled brightly.

"I'm Ashen Morgenstern-" yet again the door was shutting. He panicked and a rush of words fled his mouth in a race against the closing door.

"Wait, wait, no, please." She stopped and looked at him.

"What? Go away. Go start a war, fairy boy." Ash huffed.

"Not all Morgenstern's want that, princess. I just want peace, to enjoy life. Shocking, I know." He said, rolling his eyes. Drusilla looked at him.

"Mmm, maybe. I'm Drusilla blackthorn," she said, reaching out to shake his hand. He turned it and kissed the top of her hand, smirking at her. Ash was many things, but a flirt? Maybe. Dare he says, fey? Oh yes, that he most certainly was.

She rolled her eyes, yanking her hand back and walking through the door, leaving it open for him to follow. He grinned, following through the door. He closed it and walked behind her. She walked through the Institute that honestly looked more like a house than anything else. They got to her room and she walked in. Like before, she left the door open, allowing him inside. He shut it and stood there, smiling at her. She sat on the bed and looked at him.

"Now, who are you really?" She asked. His smile fell. She didn't believe him. Didn't that silly girl know that fairies couldn't lie? But then again, he was a half breed so he probably could. Yet just the thought of lying set an odd feeling in his stomach. No, he hopefully would never have to lie and honestly, he refused to.

He pulled out his father's ring from a chain around his neck and showed her his green shirt slightly tore and old making it easy for him to pull it out and off handing it to her he didn't dare sit on her bed since he was beyond dirty so he stood right above her watching closely this was the only thing he had left of his father and he wouldn't let anyone break it she nodded handing it back to him she looked him up and down "ok so your a prince only living heir to the throne and your also a Morgenstern I actually can see that I mean your hair is just like Sebastian's and- he cut her off with a smile"Jonathan" he corrected she looked at him weird "what?" She asked ash nodded "his name was Jonathan" he said tilting his head she rolls her eyes "ok you have Jonathans hair and clarys eyes" he smiled at her "I am aware but I also have my father's eyes since mother said when he died they were a beautiful green color just like mine" Dru nodded he looked sad and for some reason that made her sad and she didn't understand it so she just ignored it "ok fairy boy your dirty and you have crappy clothes it's time to fix it so off you go to take a bath and I'll find you some clothes" Dru pushed him into the bathroom ash looked at it confused what was this room for? What were these buttons it was so shiny and odd metal was everywhere honestly metal was all through the house the smell making him queasy and light headed? on the little shelf with the two way glass were a bunch of pink and black things and they all looked different so like the curiously little fairy he was He started playing with things and looked up at the glass that showed himself he'll have to ask Drusilla what it was called he needed to cut his hair he looked around for something he didn't see a knife or anything so he just drug his fingers through it and turned to the little boat looking thing he was so lost he peaked out and Dru was nowhere to be seen he sighed to himself and tried a red button on the boat and the water came out he grinned he felt it and he liked the heat so he stripped and took a bath.

When he was done he didn't know what to do but he didn't think putting his clothes back on would do being clean much good so when Dru came back in yelling about finding him clothes because he was so tall he rubbed his neck grinning she opened the door and rolled her eyes when he went to cover himself "I have three older brothers a younger brother I helped raise and kit lives here you have nothing I haven't seen before" she threw the clothes at him and shut the door he blushed a deep crimson and looked at the clothes they were all black and leather he grimnced he hoped that wasn't really being from fey he had never eaten meat and the very idea made him sick to eat your animal friends was sad he put the shirt on and he couldn't figure out if it was supposed to only cover his top half part or....if it was too tiny but he put it on regardless and looked in the two way glass it only cover his chest part not his shoulders or neck and definitely not his stomach in all honesty he had a feeling it was for a female since it only covered the breast part he rolled his eyes at least it was clothing he put the black underwhear on and then the pants they were very tight and was full of rips and chains he didn't know if they were supposed to be like that or they were used but put them on he did he looked in the two way glass and turned to see everything. not forgetting his family ring he slipped it on over his head along with his mothers favorite gem it was a tiny little trinket a bright green and white gem he had never seen before mother said it wasn't of this world just like ash and it was a gift from his father because it was just as beautiful and otherworldly as he.

His stomach was open and he could see almost everything his V line shown completely it felt oddly exposed and he didn't know how to feel about that. he messed with his hair and grinned ok this would do he walked out and smiled at Drusilla she looked at him and blushed "you look decent" she said looking down quick ash pouted so he walked over to her "may I sit with you?" He asked she nodded he bent down to his clothes and grabbed a leather tie and tied his hair back out of his face he sighed looking at her "so, Drusilla, you are the girl I saw in fairy " he asked hoping he was right Dru looked up at him and bit her lip than nodded "but no one knows ok like ever they can never know" she said sitting up ash nods "I'd never tell them anything you wouldn't want me to" he said smiling at her she blushed "yeah yeah well you need food and last time I checked fairy's don't eat meat right?" She pushed her hair behind her ear "you are correct princess" he said nodding a look of disgust on his face Dru looked at him oddly "why do you keep calling me that?" She asked looking up into his eyes ash was startled they were so beautiful like an ocean with stars from the heavens reflecting down onto it took his breath away he brushed her ebony hair out of her face gently "why call a rose by any other name?" He asked quietly his mouth just next to hers she blushed leaning closer everything slow different quite perfect beautiful.

They jumped apart startled at a knock on the door Drusilla cleared her throat "yes who is it?" She asked her voice still Shakey from being so close to the other Julian walked in and looked at the two oddly "am I interrupting something " he asked confused Dru shook her head "no of course not why would you be interrupting anything? " She said smiling nervously even though they hadn't done anything it still made her a little jumpy like she had murder Zara and had her body stuffed under her bed not like she hadn't thought of it before but still it freaked her out just a bit.

She looked at Julian "so what's up" Julian sighed "we need to talk about him" he said pointing at the boy on her bed ash looked between the two like a lost puppy "me?" He asked when they both just stared at him Julian rolled his eyes "yes you Dru ash in the library two minutes" he said with a Stern I'm dad if you don't listen you'll regret it look and was gone Dru sighed "ash are you sure you-" she was cut off by a pair of lips on hers she sighed cupping the back of his head him doing the same it felt amazing and she needed to stop right now oh no she had to make herself stop and by the angel she didn't think she could.

She pushed him away and wiped her mouth "why did you do that?" She asked eyes wide ash tilted his head "is that not what you wanted princess?" he asked confused she shook her head "I don't know what I want Ash" she stood up and paced around the room she sighed running her hands through her hair she was confused shed never liked a boy before well...before Jamie and he didn't count since he was honestly just using her she looked at him no oh no she isn't going to fall for him hes a Morgenstern on top of everything she sighed and just walked out the door no she couldn't do this now not now she rushed past all her siblings past the lovely eyes that kit and ty were giving each other past the morningful looks of emma and julian past everything past everyone past it all and she sat in the corner alone and thinking like she oh so needed badly to do but no matter what she kept looking at him the way he walked the way he held himself she guessed from being tought how to be a prince everything and it just called to her like nothing else ever had she tried hearing the words julian spoke but honestly all she heard was something about the cold peace and yes that was also a thing that would cause a problem between her and him and anothing thing about clary and Morgenstern bussniss then she heard his voice calming and nice making her want to drift asleep enjoying every word that was spoken making her drift off into a nice peaceful rest until her name was called so she looked up to see all eyes on her "yes?"she asked quietly julian shook his head muttering something about children with there heads in the clouds he looked at her and spoke again in the kind way he had about him always parenting "could you watch out for ash help him find his way and stuff?" he said crossing his arms she looked around it seemed no one else would do it and ash was looking at her like she hung the sun and the moon and her eye were the stars and honestly she didn't know what to say so being nice she said

"sure why not I mean ive taken care him this far so we decided to keep him?" she said pulling off her best-annoyed teen attitude ash looked insulted "im not a pet Drusilla theres no keeping me" he said huffing and what looked almost like pouting and that honestly made her laugh she grinned and spoke across the room "sure what ever you say floof" her laugh made everyone look up they looked oddly at her and she relised..she hadn't laughed since livvia died almost a mouth ago it shocked her that so much time had pasted since her sister had been killed by annabell Lee I guess since then she didn't have a reason to laugh not that she really had one before but for some reason....he made her want to be happy but she couldn't really exsplain why I mean he had been here for less than an hour maybe two and he had already turned her world inside out she stood "ok well I think he might be hungry so im going to go do that" she gave a firm nod like she had made up her mind and wasn't going to change that she walked over to ash and the poor thing looked like he was trying to cover himself she grinned "also I think you need better clothes and not that you can hunt in those but you need something to sleep in" ash stood up and towered over everyone exspeluly her shed have to ask him how tall he was later but right now she needed to feed the hungry fairy dru waved good bye to her family and left leaving everyone confused and slightly dazed in her wake

julian looked around at everyone "what the hell just happened" he asked and not a single person in there could do anything but stare after the very tall pale Morgenstern boy and the tiny little gothic girl that didn't even reach his chest in height Julian shook his head this wasn't going to end well.

dru stood in the kitchen looking through the frigue trying to find some food for ash whist he sat on there bar chairs looking quite uncomfortable he cleared his throat getting her attention "um princess couldn't I just have some of those?" he asked pointing above the frige at the bowl of fruit dru shrugged "I guess ive been looking for that for the last ten minites thank you for letting me know earlier" she glared at him she turned around to reach it and muttered something about "short people problems" she huffed ash grinned and stood up not even having to try and just grabbed it pulling it down dru glared at him her back to his front her hand still reaching he leaned down so their faces were close "im sorry were you trying to get that I couldn't tell it looked almost like you were doing streachs against the frige we both know there was no way your tiny what 5'3 body would manage to grab this" his grin was smug and made his eyes sparkle she sighed his eyes sure were beauftiful but I guess that was the fey in him making everything beautiful and amazing she reached above his head and pulled it down to have a kiss "I still don't know what I want Morgenstern" she said after letting him go

he grimaced at the mention of his last name said with if dru was being honest more than a little bite to the words he sighed looking away his eyes losing some sparkle in the process she looked oddly at him "do you have fangs" she said turning around and putting her fingers in his mouth ash looked at her oddly almost in shock she opened his mouth and her own dropped open "you do! both sets top and bottom by the angel that's adorable" Dru said letting him go ash blushed closing his mouth "yes most fey do" he said looking away Dru grinned turning grabbing the bowl and headed to her room ash shook his head and followed she stood in the middle of her room and turned to look at him as he walked in she sat on her bed him doing the same after he was comfortable she handed him the bowl "so how tall are you" she smirked this had to be good she'd never met anyone taller than Magnus at 6'1 he looked up at her mid-bite of an apple and shrugged "6'6 I believe is human term for such" her eye widened as he continued to eat

scratch that before ash shed never met anyone taller than Magnus "by the angel what do they do to fly there" ash shrugged not looking up from his search for something within the contents of the bowl dru watched him carefully getting up and walking out the door to letting him eat in peace she wanted to find clothes for him but she didn't know if they had any for him she was thinking on what to do when she ran into mark "whats up mark?" she asked in her usual greeting mark looked puzzled "the roof? maybe the sky if you want to go so far" he said tilting his head in confusion Dru sighed forgetting mark had been gone for years before they had finally gotten him back a month or two earlier "never mind so I'm trying to find clothes for ash do you know if we actually have clothes for guys over 6'1?" she asked Mark shook his head "no but I could go get some but I have to bring someone because the last time I went to town alone I didn't know how to get back and ended up using the magic box to speak with Julian so he could find me and as you know dear sister wasn't so good" dru nodded trying not to laugh remembering that day when mark had called frantic about not being able to find his way home and if this meant he was homeless now she just shook her head yes and said a quick goodbye and continued to look for maybe some scissors or something to cut that god awful hair with.

she found some in a junk draw around the house randomly looking through everything she shrugged and took them turning she came face to face with Kieran she screamed holding her chest "by the angel don't you fairy's have bells or something you almost gave me a heart attack" she glared at him Kieran rolled his eyes "no we don't why would we?" dru glared and looked around no one was in the halls and honestly Kieran freaked her out a bit " can I help you?" she said hold the scissors tight Kieran shook his head "no just wanted to know how our new fairy friend was doing is all ma'lady" dru rolled her eyes she was really growing tired of these fairy's and there princess and ma'lady and sneaky crap they pulled "ok well if you don't mind he needs a hair cut hes good going to stay in my room no get your head out of the gutter and good bye" she said in a rush and speed walked the whole way to her room where she slammed the door shut behind her and leaned against it ash looked at her oddly "are you ok?" he said worried she nodded shaking her head she stood next to him and untied his hair "just going to cut some of this ok?" she asked he only looked at her and nodded "as you wish" he looked for wards and she started to cut "so ash how long are you staying?" she said trying to cut as much as she could without making it look bad ash made a humming sound and looked like he was thinking for a bit " I don't know I wish to change how others feel about my family because it wasn't my fathers fault he was the way he was it was my grandfathers he mixed our blood changed it and remade him" dru thought on his words as she cut some more "I see maybe but its going to be hard not many can see past what there own two eyes see if you get were im coming from" she shrugged almost finished ash shook his head "I think so but I want things to be different I want them to be better" she nodded finishing and brushing him off he looked good

and it made her blush she sat across from him as he played with his new hair he looked at her and scooted closer so there so no space between them "Drusilla blackthorn I have a question for you" she nodded honestly scared he was going to like pull a Jonathan and ask her to be his queen well at least it wasn't clary again poor girl "yes?" she asked quietly ash looked at her his eyes full of fear "can you look past my scars to see what I truly am?" he asked letting out a breathe almost like if he moved shed be gone forever... she looked down she didn't know he was a Morgenstern but not only that a fey to she was scared but everyone deserved a chance she looked at him leaned forwards kissed him slowly sweetly they parted and she smiled at him "maybe just maybe I might"

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wow 5,164 words I'm so very proud and the very first story that talks about ash being a Morgenstern I can't wait until queen of air and darkness comes out but thank you so much for waiting this long I oh so hope it was worth the very very very long wait anyway my very first gumlee should be next and that's exciting take a look at this sneak peek from the gumlee one shot

welcome to the town of candy its a tiny town that's no bigger than 150 people but they still loved there tiny town where everyone knew everyone and if there was abuse in a household they'd know and it would be dealt with at the highest most punishment the law had since the children were everything and they hated the very idea of child rape or abuse so when the case of barthowlem candy a descendant of the original founder of there little town was found to be being abused by his father the mayor the whole town went into a uproar how dare he stoop to such a level as to strick his son what could have caused such a kind man to turn so sour as they called it a bad apple turned rotten over years and mold set in covering his heart in the fuzz.

Also, I want to give a very amazing thank you to my favorite beta ever without her I wouldn't have these story's out!  thank you so very very much. <3

[theonceoverthinker]

OUAT 2X22 - And Straight On ‘Til Morning

Despite all the mourning from the last episode, we’re gonna go straight on ‘til we finish off this season.

...Wanted to make my last pun of the season classy. Now you know what to do.

Press Release The inhabitants of Storybrooke brace themselves for the end when Greg and Tamara detonate the trigger Regina had placed within the curse, with the annihilation of the town and its residents imminent; and Mr. Gold mourns the loss of his son, Bae/Neal. Meanwhile, back in Neverland of the past, Hook discovers his connection to a young Bae after he rescues him from the sea and soon realizes that the Lost Boys are in hot pursuit of the boy. General Thoughts - Characters/Stories/Themes and Their Effectiveness Past I really struggled with how I felt about the past segment. Something about this flashback has always rubbed me the wrong way (Or at least, as much as the two times I’ve watched it can do) and I spent the lesser part of two days wondering why. And I think I finally figured it out.

The actions and broad strokes of this storyline are great, as is admittedly much of the dialogue. I like the bond that forms between Killian and Bae and I like how Killian’s framed. The dialogue is for the most part pretty good and I love all the time we get to spend on the Jolly Roger. However, the thematically heavy lines like “being alone” and “caring only about yourself” are honestly so distracting because Killian’s is blatantly committing revenge on Milah’s behalf and he has a whole crew with him.

Now on one hand, I get it. Especially given Killian’s decision at the end of the flashback, one can argue that Killian’s revenge and the decisions stemming from it are more for his sake than Milah’s. It’s similar to what Regina was doing with Snow and her subjects, where she claimed that after she killed Snow, she’d show them love. On the other hand, as I said before, it’s honestly so distracting and I feel like if the above were the case, there would’ve been more to paint it that way.

Okay, so now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, just remember: The segment is good, but dialogue choices like that separate good from great. The drama between Killian and Bae is one of the most important parts of Killian’s redemption and their bonding provides serious insight into who Killian is as a character.  Present First off, I love the way Neal’s “death” was handled. First, let’s talk about the acting. Robert Carlyle continues to be flawless. He shows how Rumple’s overcome with sadness and regret immediately upon hearing the news. Second, I love how he’s paralleled against Henry. While Henry has his mother to lean on and hold (A great if not tragic Swan Believer moment in and of itself), despite being told the news by two people, Rumple’s in the shot where he first takes it in alone and only comforted from a distance. Third, it gets Rumple questioning his own philosophy and is one of the biggest cases of “all magic has a price” being turned on him. It’s nothing short of a spiral and the way he pulls everyone down with him fits the character so well.

I got so many Spongebob Musical feels as I was thinking about the main story here. XD I’m going to explain it when I get to arcs, but I think that the main story does a good job bringing together Emma, Regina, Henry, Snow, and David’s stories. Every emotion here hits and the main story, which seemed to rightly get the most focus, was handled well.

Keep that in mind when I go off here.

”I did it [Kill Cora] because it was easy. It was a mistake.” FUCK THAT NOISE! NO! IT WASN’T EASY! IT WAS ACTUALLY BOTH DIFFICULT IN EXECUTION AND IN ITS AFTER EFFECTS! It was cruel, sure. And I get the guilt, but honestly, it was Cora (An uncontrollable monster) or Rumple (Someone who had been persuaded to do good in the past and could in the future AND had two morality pets to keep him on the straight and narrow). Fuck the noise where this was a wrong decision and that GOD this is the last instance where Snow says something like that! “There were other paths -- harder paths.” AND THEY WOULD’VE RESULTED IN MASS MURDERS ALL AROUND. FUCK! The ONLY good thing about that shitty flashback in “The Cricket Game” was that you supposedly learned that this idea was bullshit and you just threw that idea out like a dirty diaper! FUCK THIS SET OF LINES! It’s especially infuriating because it comes in the middle of a GREAT Snow scene where her optimism and leadership are so well shown!

Finally, What’s interesting to me is how Killian immediately dismisses Emma’s speech about being alone and being part of something by asking “Why are you really doing this?” Bae, being dead and Henry no longer having a father, is the spark that becomes the flame of his redemption. I’m with @sab031794 with the idea that Bae is definitely his turning point, while Emma’s words further the point, something he appreciates. Insights - Stream of Consciousness -Was there ever a concrete answer as to who drew the Milah drawing? Was it Killian? Milah herself? Like one of the people at theme park who paints people? -SMEE!! So by this point, is Smee Killian’s first mate or is he still just a regular crew member? Also, got to hand it to Smee for his faith in Killian. Smee’s a scared dude, so to see him with so much resolve in his voice as he tells Killian that they’ll avenge Milah, it’s so much bigger of a moment! -I didn’t realize how closely this episode borders on child trafficking until now! Dark. -I’ll never quite be over the way Bae’s eyes pop when he tells someone what happened to his father. Powerful! -It’s great seeing Killian piece together the puzzle that’s this new boy and immediately making a plan upon realizing just who he is. -It’s so creepy seeing how having only Lacey to depend on as a morality chain can corrupt Rumple so much. Hurting Henry to save himself at the very least was a point he was torn on when he first found Neal and learned the truth about his and Henry’s relation. But as he sees Henry on the swing, he’s so close to giving in and killing Henry. (Okay, someone write a dark ass fic where this happens. Henry dies and Emma goes crazy trying to figure out if his death was an accident or not. Can you IMAGINE the final confrontation there?!) Also, I refuse to believe it’s a coincidence that it’s David that snaps him out of it. Sheep Bros to the rescue! -Colin acts that last scene in the mine so freakin’ well! Like, less than three minutes later, that’s gonna turn out to be horseshit, but he sells that so believably! -I will say, while I don’t like a lot of platitudes this season, I’m cool with Henry’s “work together” schtick. -David, that was an amazing punch! XD -WHAT AN EXCELLENT REGAL BELIEVER SCENE! Once again, Regina apologizes to Henry and it’s very sincere. She’s not blaming anyone and is saying that it’s she who failed to live up to his standards. And Henry’s reaction does not absolve her, but lets her know that he loves her. THAT is GOOD! -”The things we do for our children.” This is kind of a weird line. -I love how it’s so obvious that this Pan is “him” and they are doing every backflip to make this a killer twist. -Oh My God! Felix is trying to be so menacing and it is just the HAMMIEST thing ever! XD I love it! It’s not appropriate at all to the mood they’re setting, but fuck it! I love it! -Grumpy, that is the best cup I have ever seen! I can’t even blame you for taking it back for Sneezy (And then maybe channel your inner-Stealthy and take it for yourself)! -I’ve been trying to do a count of the number of men in KIllian’s crew. So far, I’ve seen at most six pirates (Killian and Smee included). Does anyone have a better count? -Left is port, right is starboard. I don’t know why, but I always forget it. Hopefully, Captain Hook will be able to help me remember! -It’s interesting to me how Killian, even when he was just using Bae, used a real and vulnerable part of his life to relate to him. It’s great insight into Killian’s life and a subtle nudge in the direction of Killian coming to care for Bae even before the truly touching moment on the scene hits. -I do have to wonder, why does Killian want to live so badly? During “The Outsider,” Killian was more than willing to die so that he could return to Milah, but he wouldn’t have even killed Rumple then (though one could argue that he’d at least leave a black mark on Rumple and Belle’s relationship). Here, he’d be killing Rumple and there’s no sign he care about saving anyone else. -”I’m not your mate.” Give it a season, Davey! -Emma and Regina work brilliantly together here. There’s such a softness to Regina sacrifice and the way Emma tries to fight against what looks to be the inevitable. It’s a great testament to their dynamic. -Wow! The CG for the destruction of Storybrooke is awful! XD -Farewell, Lacey. I hardly knew ye. -Snow, that is not all of Storybrooke. That’s not even a quarter of Storybrooke. There should be a giant ass crowd of people, not just your besties! -The moment when Bae is told the truth of his mother by Killian is so powerful! There’s so much rage, passion, and love, all of it left on on the floor in the scene. -”I’ll track them down in Hell if I have to.” Granted it’s not regarding the same character, but give it a few seasons, Emma! -”There’s no way. I spent a lifetime trying to cross worlds to find my son.” Hindsight makes that line utterly hysterical! -Rumple! Let Belle help! Get some other stooge to cast the protection spell! Belle’s such a good tracker! -Why is this goodbye making me flashforward to Belle’s death?! *bawls* -GOLDEN HOOK WORKING TOGETHER!!! That look they exchange as they understand the map’s destination! YES! I’M FILLED WITH THE POWER OF YESSSSSS! Arcs - How are These Storylines Progressing? Regina’s Redemption - Regina’s redemption was handled masterfully in this episode. The focus of it was put on Henry. As the inevitability of the end hits her, all she can and does focus on is keeping Henry alive. But that’s not all. Her acceptance of ehr bad reputation being her own fault goes a long way towards washing away the exasperation from the last few episodes away. Her sacrifice works on every level, reinfusing sympathy into Regina without it feeling out of character because of the sharp focus on Henry. Rumple’s Redemption - So like usual, Rumple takes one step back and one step forward, and I felt that it mostly worked. I say mostly because I don’t really get how Lacey attempting to use Bae’s shawl is the turning point for Rumple using the memory potion on Lacey. It’s not like Lacey used the shawl maliciously and she even apologized for it. Was it so she could help him grieve? If so, I wish it came across better. That said, I like the effect that Lacey has been corrupting Rumple, but he realizes that he both needs Belle in her real state and that his thoughts of murdering Henry are awful and need to be shunted. At the same time, he’s not willing to lend a finger to help with the end of the world. Killian’s Redemption - What’s interesting to me is how early on in this episode, Killian is pointed at for not believing in something by Tamara, and when he does turn, Killian himself is one of the most belief-heavy people on the show! Additionally, in the flashback, Killian is so belief-heavy, believing that he can get his revenge on the Dark One and later that he and Bae can fill the empty holes in their hearts. But aside from that, Killian’s turn around is actually pretty simply set up for a sympathetic character. First, it comes through in the decision to go to the heroes to help stop the diamond, knowing they’re more effective. Second, it’s of course the decision to turn his ship around. It represents Killian’s decision to start caring again, allowing himself in a way to be reborn. Emma Accepting Her Parents - “Mom...Dad…” ...Do I even need to say any more? ...Well, apart from the fact that it’s a great closing out of the arc in the beginning of the season, it’s also a PHENOMENAL setup for the events of Season 3. Greg and Tamara - Greg and Tamara kind of get stupid in this finale upon revealing that they don’t know who runs the home office and all the deflectation that takes place when Killian questions them. Really? A group of people who supposedly value science over magic wouldn’t ask who their boss is? Favorite Dynamic Emma and Regina - Emma and Regina are amazing to watch. The episode doesn’t pretend that they’re friends or even that they like each other all that much, but that their bond over Henry is powerful enough that they can overcome those facts and at least start in that direction. For the first time, I feel these two come together as real mothers. They act in Henry’s best interests and that includes saving the other, being honest to Henry, and portraying the other in a good light. Darker Elements (TW: Mention of Child Trafficking) I’ve seen it be said that Killian’s decision to abandon Baelfire was the most evil moment of his life. While I’m not sure how much I believe that, I must point out how this is as close to child trafficking as OUAT can ever get without outright saying it, and that is fucking dark. While trying to examine my own feelings on the issue, I think in terms of the show, because of the fantastical distance of the child trafficking being conducted in an equally fantastical way by a pirate with a hook for a hand and a set of children in cloaks putting a boy in a dinghy to take him to Peter Pan, it’s different than other instances of Darker Elements that I’ve already touched on. If a woman is assaulted or someone is raped by deception, the resonance with the treatment of women and the realities of sexual assault, especially in our modern political climate, makes it difficult to cloud with fantastical elements. And I’m not saying trafficking isn’t, but it’s not something a large portion of OUAT’s audience sees on a constant basis.

Writer A&E are as usual in charge of the finale, and honestly, while well delivered, I expected better. So much of the dialogue works, and that makes the fact that some of the crucial dialogue doesn’t hurt so badly. I feel like they were trying to make square pegs fit in round holes when they talk about things like Killian choosing to be alone and how kiling Cora was easy and and how Rumple decides to turn back Belle because Lacey accidentally used Bae’s shawl as a napkin. it almost overshadows the genuinely good dialogue in other places and I feel like with another draft, those problems would either be minimized or non existent. It pains me how this episode reminds me in a lot of respects more of “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” (My current least favorite episode of the series) than some of their better episodes like “Broken.” Rating 8/10. I’ve been torn on ratings before, but never quite like this. So much of the Season 2 finale does work, but it does have failings and they chip away. However, I’ve gone on about some of the dialogue choices enough. Let’s talk about the good stuff. This episode is a good culmination point for so many of the arcs started and presents a good jumping off point for them to be furthered in the next season. It’s entertaining to watch emotionally resonates where it counts. It’s dark, but optimistic and has that Once-y feel! Flip My Ship - Home of All Things “Shippy Goodness” Swan Fire - We get to see some pretty sad and yet hopeful Swan Fire stuff. Emma is barely able to mourn Neal’s loss, but when she tells Henry and Killian the truth, you really feel the grief she’s going through. And then Neal’s alive! Swan Queen - It was so great seeing Emma and Regina working together! You really feel for the emotional bond they’ve formed as they fight off the diamond and it’s gotta be said that there’s a serious weight to the fact that the two of them together managed to fight off something that neither thought possible. Captain Swan - I feel like Emma and Killian really get their deserved start here. Emma not only tries to get her bean back, but tries to invite him to the hero squad with as much effort as she can given all else on her plate. And while it initially doesn’t work, Emma’s speech does find its resonance with Killian through remembering of his love for Bae. Rumbelle - My thoughts on how Rumple decided to use the potion aside, the moment where Belle comes back and they kiss is beautiful and heartwarming, as is their goodbye at the docks. Grumpy Beauty - Grumpy went out of his way as they were all gonna die to get another memory potion to restore Belle! That is so cute!!! I love this ship!!! There’s also such a real feeling of sacrifice as Rumple sees Belle off before his trip to Neverland. ()()()()()()()()() Oh My God! Season 2 is completed!!! Well, sort of! Like last season, I’m going to do my overview where I talk about everything from the quality of the season itself to the best dynamics to who was the best writer! I hope you’ll join me for it because it’s gonna be a lot of fun!

Thank you all for reading and to the fine folks at @watchingfairytales! Couldn’t have done it without you!

See you next time!

Season 2 Tally (194/220) Writer Tally for Season 2: Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis: (58/60)* Jane Espenson (44/50)* Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg (40/50)* David Goodman (24/30)* Robert Hull (24/30)* Christine Boylan (26/30)* Kalinda Vazquez (28/30)* Daniel Thomsen (18/20)* * Indicates that their work for the season is complete Operation Rewatch Archives

[noplotnostory]

Food for Thought

Monster SOULs and Possible Traits: Part Two

This Food for Thought will be covering my personal theories on what monsters might have which primary SOUL traits. This is operating under the assumption that monster SOULs both have distinct primary traits and that they would be the same primary traits that human SOULs have--which I am by no means certain of--and will only cover the few specific monsters I feel fairly confident in my assessment of (SOUL-trait-wise, at least). More facts and theories concerning monster SOULs and their possible traits--including whether or not they even have primary traits the way human SOULs do--can be found in Part One.

Toriel - Integrity

If there’s one thing the entire UnderTale Fandom can agree on, it’s that Sans is a fairly observant individual who tends to know more about what’s going on around him than pretty much anyone else Underground. So when he says that someone “has an integrity you just can’t say ‘no’ to”, it‘s probably fair to consider that a hint. Especially when everything about that "someone"s history and interactions feels very Integrity-based.

I’ve seen people identify Toriel’s primary SOUL trait as Perseverance, Patience or Kindness a few times, but I don’t really think any of those work. Not as her primary trait, at least.

The thing is, Toriel left Asgore because of her personal moral standards. That’s...pretty much Integrity in a nutshell. Now her history after that point and behavior in the Ruins clearly show an aptitude for Perseverance and Patience as well...but if either of those were her primary trait, it seems more likely that she would stay and try to fix Asgore’s mess from inside the capitol.

Like Perseverance and Patience, Toriel’s Kindness is an undeniable facet of her character, one that we even know was actively demonstrated before she left Asgore as well as after. Toriel is a nurturing, protective and loving individual whose pie is the strongest healing item in the entire game (implying an aptitude for green magic, if the creation of magic food follows similar rules to the creation of magic attacks). And she is a brutally practical and efficient woman who was known for making the difficult decisions for her people as Queen (even firing Alphys after leaving the Ruins and hearing what the Royal Scientist had done) and has a tendency to hold grudges against people who she feels have neglected or abused their station. Specifically her ex-husband who she berates not only for killing children, but being too cowardly or soft-hearted to expedite the process for the sake of their people.

That’s...not Kindness. It doesn’t necessarily make her cruel, but it indisputably displays the unwavering convictions that truly defines Integrity above all else.

Undyne - Kindness

Undyne is a Determined and Brave monster with a battle theme titled “Spear of Justice”. All of these are assets that have undoubtedly served her well as the Captain of the Royal Guard. But, above all else, she’s Kind.

First things first, Determination...is not a SOUL trait.

Click the link.

Read the thing.

Got it?

Ok, moving on.

Bravery is a necessity for Undyne’s line of work. As a member of the Royal Guard, Undyne was tasked with maintaining order in the monster kingdom, capturing humans for the use of their SOULs and--presumably--being prepared to wage war against humankind upon the removal of the barrier. When humans fell and caused panic throughout the Underground, it was Undyne’s duty to put her own life on the line to preserve those of civilian monsters.

Yet, in her armorless “faux battle” after allowing the Fallen Human to live and being left to bond with them by an eager Papyrus, she actually has more DEF than in her real, to-the-death (as far as she knew) battle. Now, if DEF stands for DEsire to Fight (I swear, I read that theory somewhere long before starting this blog, but I can’t find a link or fic anywhere and I’d love it if someone could tell me where I saw this from!) then Undyne is more interested in the “faux battle” than the real one. It’s only one DEF point, but other monsters in the game definitely lose those when they decide that they don’t want to fight anymore, and considering the fact that Undyne is bearing the fate of the entire Underground on her shoulders during the actual battle (regardless of if the Fallen Human is Pacifist, Neutral or Genocidal at that point), she has a lot of reason to fight to win. And in a Genocide Route, she is Determined enough to keep fighting after losing all her HP because all of monsterkind is counting on her and she refuses to let them down. But she has more DEF in the “faux battle”. Which means, regardless of how much she wants to win, regardless of how much she wants to keep everyone safe, regardless of how much she wants to eliminate this proficient threat who has murdered her best friend and subordinates, she does not want to fight as much as she does in the “faux battle”. Her heart’s just not in it as much as it would be for a spar between friends. She feels that she needs to protect and avenge, but the key word is “need”. Not “want”.

There’s another moment that probably isn’t the strongest evidence, but I personally feel like it fits, so I’m going to add it anyways: Jumping off the cliff to save Monster Kid lowers Undyne’s HP. If HP stands for HOPE and has to do with a SOUL’s positive emotions as well as it’s ability to sustain damage (I actually do have a link for this one! :D I found this definition in Chapter 7 of somnivagrantTraviatus’s Sweeter than Honey on AO3!), then witnessing the Fallen Human either attack or abandon an actual child dealt a serious emotional blow. Especially since Undyne had admired humans so much after watching anime with Alphys and really had to work hard to convince herself that humans were the depraved and unrepentant enemy of all monsterkind...and that just made it a little easier (Toby Fox has mentioned wanting her armor to be cracked as well, but since intent is such an important part of how monsters take damage, I’m inclined to believe that whatever might have damaged Undyne’s armor would not have impacted her HP the same way).

As for Justice, while a lot of Undyne’s actions as the Captain of the Royal Guard can be interpreted as both Justice and Kindness, whenever she displays a preference for one over the other, Kindness wins. She’s hesitant to kill the human in front of Monster Kid and while explaining the quirks of her magic and how to combat it makes sense for a friendly spar, it’s not a particularly effective way to execute a possibly deadly and time-sensitive threat to the kingdom.

Also, I feel the need to point out that the song “Spear of Justice” does not play in Genocide Route battles. Since the name of the song is a clear homage to her icon--Gerson, the Hammer of Justice--who she claims had fought against humans in the War that led to monsterkind’s imprisonment, one would think that such a tribute would be fitting for a life-or-death battle against a human who had systematically exterminated every monster they’ve come across since falling into the Underground. But apparently Undyne doesn’t. Whatever it was about Gerson and his reputation that inspired Undyne to join the Royal Guard, apparently that’s not what she was thinking about when going toe-to-toe with a genocidal human. It wasn’t about punishment or serving Justice. It was about saving everyone that was left. A community that she has loved and served and known all her life and she was willing to die to protect them.

That’s...actually why my posts regarding her are tagged “Undyne the Unpredictable”. There’s a certain fluidity that comes with Kindness. Much like Asgore is a “big fluffy pushover” who also happens to be impulsive enough to make a very poorly-thought-out proclamation of war in the throes of grief, Undyne is the sort of person to guard you with her life after a cooking session or use her spears to make you a shish kebab for being a possible threat to monsterkind. It all depends on how she perceives the situation and the people involved.

(And no, I’m not saying that Asgore’s primary trait is Kindness. I’m only saying that he is emotionally-driven. I don’t have a confident conclusion on what his primary trait would be.)

Gerson - Justice

The Hammer of Justice.

Yeah.

He’s probably the easiest monster to assign a primary SOUL trait to despite never fighting the Fallen Human in-game, but let’s go ahead and look at some supporting evidence.

A prevalent retired hero to monsterkind, an apparent veteran of the War of Monsters and Humans and one of the major influences in Undyne’s life, Gerson doesn’t seem like the type to be excessively friendly with the species that trapped him and his people under Mt. Ebott. He claims to have distrusted Chara when the first Fallen Human was still alive and being raised by the royal family and was of the opinion that breaking the barrier and returning to the surface would result in the genocide of all monsters after how thoroughly humanity had defeated them.

Yet, he doesn’t appear to have any vendetta against the Fallen Human who explores the Underground in the events of UnderTale in any route other than Genocide. In Neutral and Pacifist Routes, he even shares information on monster iconography, gives tips on where to sell items, warns the Fallen Human that Undyne is looking for them and ends his conversations with a: “Be careful out there, kid!”

In the Genocide Route, Gerson claims that he was never a hero, but still attempts to stall the Fallen Human so that other monsters could evacuate. In a way, he warns the Fallen Human of Undyne in all routes, but in Genocide he is far more vague and acerbic about it, not mentioning her by name and sounding very certain that she would defeat the Fallen Human. He only laughs once in Genocide Route conversations, and the context implies that it’s not exactly a joyful or good-humored one, unlike in other routes.

I suppose other traits could be ascribed to these various instances and facts, but if you put it all together, it creates an image of someone who strives to protect others even in his old age, but makes a point of not mistreating or prejudging people who have not definitively earned his ire, regardless of past experiences with their species. Despite having every reason to be wary of humanity as a whole, he values Justice regardless of species.

[thebluelemontree]

Harry the Heir is such an arrogant douche! But some people say that since he apologized to Alayne at the feast, he's not that bad and their romance is definitely a possibility. Some even go as far as to say that Sansa will fall in love with him and this story gives them Mr Darcy/Elizabeth vibes. What is your opinion on their possible relationship? BTW I don't think Darcy had bastards all over Derbyshire)))

Elizabeth is not tasked with seducing Darcy nor ever intended him to be a love interest.  Darcy was genuinely regretful at learning how his attitudes and behaviors affected other people and set to changing himself.  Not to win Elizabeth over either, but to be a better person and to try to correct his mistakes.  Harry... no.  He’s in his heir position by sheer dumb luck and he acts like Robert Arryn is already dead in the ground.  I don’t think Darcy would be able to identify with who Harry actually is at all.  

Harry apologized because Anya Waynwood made him as she also insisted that he dance with Alayne.  She stands to collect a fat dowry from this.  She’s not forcing Harry to accept the betrothal per se, but she is making him be “nice” and interact with Alayne.  At least enough times so Alayne can presumably seduce him as I’m sure Littlefinger assured her would happen.  It’s such a grudgingly given apology that almost seems like it pains him to sink so low to apologize to a bastard.  I don’t see how it can be read as genuine.  And he only does it after she refuses to dance with him, which I’m sure he was expecting her to just light up and be grateful for his asking.  Not even a please forgive me.

And there he stood, Harry the Heir himself; tall, handsome, scowling. "Lady Alayne. May I partner you in this dance?"

She considered for a moment. "No. I don't think so."

Color rose to his cheeks. "I was unforgiveably rude to you in the yard. You must forgive me." 

Still she’s had enough experience with difficult people to know that sometimes a harsh exterior can hide a suffering soul beneath the surface.  She wants to know the real Harry and look at him with a critical eye.  So she is willing to dig a little deeper, mildly tolerating his rudeness to ask him directly about his bastards.  It seems as though he accepts his natural children well enough, even though he was callous in his treatment of Cissy after her birth.  For a moment, things look like they might be “different with Saffron.”  Sansa could certainly understand if Harry was in love with her and he was being pressured to marry another which would explain his rudeness.  Yet, he’s awful quick to agree to send Saffron away for the mere suggestion of some “spice” with Alayne.  Not that different with Saffron, is it?  

I think it’s clear that Harry’s head is easily turned and what she can expect from him as a husband.  He is not the worst guy ever.  He’s shallow, arrogant, and seems to follow his dick around.  Sansa has seen too much real cruelty to be easily shaken by his behavior.Of all his faults, at least he’s not a liar.  He’s pretty bluntly honest, in fact.  The nicest thing she can come up with to say about Harry is that he has nice teeth and dimples; however, as far as Sansa knows this marriage might be her only chance to go home, which is the only thing she’s ever really wanted.  This scene, I think, goes to show how far Sansa has come in her evaluation of a love interest way more than it points to an actual love interest.  This is not 11/12 year old Sansa that would have shrunk down, cried and blushed, and blamed herself for a handsome knight not liking her.  Nor is she tongue-tied. easily rankled, or naively misunderstanding innuendo (heck she’s making innuendo now!) This is older Sansa learning how to deftly handle and flirt with someone who is overly harsh and bluntly honest to the point of being offensive.  Sound familiar?  ;)

I would say Harry represents a fairly typical type of husband that many wives accept as normal.  The question is can Sansa, who has always dreamed of a mutual love in her marriage, abandon that dream to settle for Harry so she can maybe one day go home and finally be safe?  I don’t think she’ll have to end up making that choice after all, because shit is setup to go down fast and hard in the Vale probably by her second chapter.

George is using a lot of misdirection in the Vale arc and I believe Harry is a red herring.  While we’re all looking toward the Young Falcon and all those untouched, shining knights of the Vale (ahem, knights of summer) to be the answer to our prayers, we’re forgetting all the other hidden players ready to twist the plot.  

Lyn Corbray who is LF’s friend pretending to be his foe but who really is a foe.  What if he found out who Alayne is?  He desperately could use the ransom and it would be a nice little F.U. to LF at the same time.

Ser Shadrich and his team who’ve know who Alayne really is and have been living under LF’s nose for months waiting to strike.

Myranda Royce who also knows who Alayne really is.  We don’t know yet how she’s going to affect things.

Lothor Brune who has a crush on Mya Stone might be set to switch sides if Sansa plays match-maker.

The Mountain Clans who have been armed with steel by Tyrion.  They got a hard on to take the Vale back and are still occasionally brought up as a threat that has never been dealt with.

Yohn Royce is back in Runestone with his forces biding his time for his opportunity to bring LF down. He also has ships, a port, and his own grain stores.

Possibly a catastrophic avalanche from the Giant’s Lance with the Gates of the Moon right in it’s path.

Just focusing on Harry, remember he “earned” his knighthood in a tourney that was rigged for him to win so Yohn could exert influence over the heir against LF.  You think this tourney isn’t rigged for Harry to win by Littlefinger for the same reasons? I think we’re being told this is not the horse we or Sansa should bet on.  We also have the competitor that Alayne will actually give her favor to that just might shake up that tourney outcome judging by tourneys past.  Harry bears some similarities to Ser Hugh of the Vale that was killed by a giant’s lance in the hands of the Mountain at the last tourney Sansa attended. 

They both are arrogant, newly made knights.  

They both sport the Arryn colors and symbols though they aren’t Arryns.  

Both seem to be knighted before they were truly ready, for reasons that have nothing to do with their abilities.  Hugh, squire to Jon Arryn, was knighted by Robert I for Jon’s memory.  Harry for political jockeying.

They are hidden forces in play that they are woefully ill-prepared for and they are charging headlong into.  This doesn’t look good.

I don’t think Harry is long for this world.  And his potential demise fits into the greater themes of Littlefinger’s legacy as Lord Protector in the Vale.  Corruption, bribery, and excess that the majority of lords have been seduced by does not make me feel confident about those knights and grain stores being put to good use.  It’s all lies and Arbor gold built on a foundation of rot.  I see massive waste and snuffed out potential as a very George-esque consequence for this decadent folly on the cusp of winter.  The tourney feast and games feel very Masque of the Red Death with the world falling apart outside and these nobles sequestering themselves in a decadent, glittering daydream.  The Red Death still gets in and pwns everyone. Yeah... :/  I think Sansa’s Vale arc will resolve in an epic, tragic smash by any number of George’s planted wild cards.          

[tomfooleryprime]

Starfleet’s moral relativism problem: is it ever okay to condemn another culture?

Central to all of Star Trek has always been the Prime Directive – that set of rules that governs our intrepid space explorers from Captain Kirk to Captain Janeway and everyone in between. Poor Captain Archer existed in a time before, and I’ve often pitied him for having to shoulder the burden of having to make some really questionable ethical decisions without having a Prime Directive to shift the blame to when it turned out his decisions really sucked.

At its core, the Prime Directive dictates that Starfleet cannot interfere with the internal affairs or development of alien civilizations. Some of the best Star Trek episodes involved our heroes clashing with the ethics of a rigid application of this doctrine, but there was always one implication of the Prime Directive that bothered me – the idea that we shouldn’t judge other cultures through the lens of our own because who’s to say what’s right and what’s wrong?

This philosophy of moral relativism argues that there are no universal moral standards – sentient beings are completely at the mercy of their own societies to impart a code of moral behavior and whatever it comes up with is “good enough.” There may be common themes among many societies in terms of morals – most seem to agree it is wrong to commit murder, for instance – but ultimately, what is “right” according one society is not guaranteed to be “right” for another. And let’s be honest with ourselves – even with the topic of murder, we still fiercely debate exceptions to the “no murder” rule such as war, capital punishment, or self-defense, not to mention we have heated arguments over what even constitutes murder when we discuss issues of abortion or animal agriculture.

Our own society provides an incredible patchwork of thorny moral and ethical issues that we still have yet to decide upon. We debate things like abortion, torture, slavery, free speech, and more. We probe these issues by asking ourselves questions like, “At what point does life truly begin?” and “Is torture ever justified?” We explore them by posing philosophical experiments like the Trolley Problem and asking ourselves whether it is morally acceptable to kill one person to save the lives of two or more others.

But at the end of the day, might (in terms of numbers) makes right in moral relativism. While I don’t subscribe to that theory, there are times when our beloved Star Trek characters do under the guise of defending the Prime Directive. On the surface, it sounds very peaceful and anti-colonialist. After centuries of watching many empires from the Romans to the British set fire to cultural diversity – and given arguments that many Western nations continue to do this today, just without being quite as invadey – this sounds like a nice change of pace. Live and let live. But this also creates a mind-boggling acceptance of suffering, genocide, exploitation, and oppression within Starfleet.

One of the first chronological examples of the faults of moral relativism is found in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode, “Cogenitor.” Archer and his crew meet an affable, three-gendered species called the Vissians, but we quickly learn that only two of the society’s genders have any real rights. The third gender is referred to as a “cogenitor,” and Trip Tucker ends up on Captain Archer’s shit list for teaching it how to read and putting ideas in its head. When the cogenitor later begs for asylum, Archer refuses. It gets worse – the cogenitor is sent back to the people who basically treat it as chattel and commits suicide, and Archer points out that Tucker’s interference led to its death and will mean the Vissian couple will probably never get to have a child. No winners in this ethical dilemma of an episode, only losers. Until you remember none of this would have happened in the first place if the Vissians had just treated the cogenitors like people.

In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, “Angel One,” we encounter the cringe worthy society of Angel I, a planet of misandric women who oppress men. We all got a few giggles at the ladies of Enterprise-D being suddenly held in higher regard than their male counterparts, but things get very dark when Beata, the Elected One of Angel I, decides some dudes need to die for spreading heretical teachings that imply men are equal to women. We get a sort of cop out solution in which Beata has a change of heart and decides to banish rather than execute these “heretics” after Riker makes an impassioned speech about basic rights, but Riker was more than willing to let things go bad if need be, because, “The Prime Directive” and “Just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s wrong.” In another Star Trek: The Next Generation episode, “Symbiosis,” we’re introduced to the Ornarans and Brekkians and we find out that after an ancient plague, the Brekkians started peddling an expensive and addictive drug to the Ornarans and calling it a “treatment.” There’s no plague anymore – the Brekkians just control the Ornarans through their drug addiction. Dr. Crusher finds a way to synthesize this drug and offers to help wean the Ornarans off their addiction, but what does Captain Picard do? He tells her to mind her own damn business because it’s not the Federation’s place to tell the Brekkians that it’s wrong to deceive and enslave the Ornarans through an addictive drug. And this is the most uncomfortable part of moral relativism – who gets to draw the line and where do we draw it? On one end of the spectrum, we have moral relativism which claims anything goes – societies should be able to torture animals, employ the slave labor of children, and oppress women as they see fit – just as long as enough people agree it isn’t wrong to do so. At the other end of the spectrum sits moral absolutism, a theoretical construct that would result in a perfectly unified, homogenous culture, but one that would also strip away many facets of culture that lead to human diversity.

If Star Trek is supposed to serve as a guide for how we might become a more progressive society, it does a terrible job a lot of the time. Now, there are many instances of our protagonists saying “to hell with the Prime Directive!” and taking what most of us would agree is the more morally praiseworthy route. But there’s no rhyme or reason to it. Just look at how they treat the Borg. Why is it okay to let some societies oppress men or drug another species into submission but it’s not okay to let the Borg assimilate the galaxy in their ultimate quest for perfection?

I’m going to guess the answer is that until the Borg decided to stick nanoprobes in a Federation citizen, the cheerful little robots simply weren’t the Federation’s problem. We might argue that the Prime Directive certainly has provisions for self-defense — how ridiculous would it be to consent to being annihilated or assimilated just because the Federation is afraid of offending another culture and refuses to draw a line in the sand where right stops and wrong starts? The slope gets slippery here though.

We could say this mirrors the concept of large Western nations trying to police the rest of the world and impose their customs on other societies - but how many of us watched documentaries about the Holocaust in school and wondered why the hell previous generations allowed shit to get that bad? How many of us continue to stand by while people in Iraq and Syria live under the threat of the Islamic State? I doubt most people even realize what’s going on in the Philippines or Venezuela right now because hey, “Not my country, not my problem.”

It is a huge gray area for what constitutes forcing certain customs on unwilling societies and trying to genuinely help people, but if we can’t agree that Nazi extermination camps and religiously motivated beheadings are bad and need to stop (even when they aren’t happening to us personally), I’ll be surprised if we ever make to the 24th century. It makes me wonder how exactly Earth “solved its problems” and created a utopian society in the first place with this attitude of moral relativism.

Let’s face it – we have no shortage of modern travesties that sound ridiculous in the context of this philosophical approach. The Chechen Republic has been reportedly rounding up gay men and torturing them in recent months, and moral relativism would have us shrug and say, “But their culture says homosexuality is a sin.”

Bacha bazi, a practice where adolescent boys are groomed for sexual relationships with older men, remains pervasive in many Pashtun societies. Moral relativism would tell us that we shouldn’t condemn predatory pedophilia because to do so would mean unfairly imposing our Western beliefs on their culture.

I could keep going on, but this post is already long enough. The bottom line is, all too often, Star Trek lazily glosses over a lot of moral and ethical dilemmas by using the argument, “Who are we to judge?” June is Pride Month, and in honor of LGBT individuals all over the globe who all too often have less rights than their cisgender heterosexual counterparts, maybe we should avoid looking to the “progressive” future of Star Trek and instead ask the question, “Who are we to not judge?”

While I can’t resolve one of the greatest philosophical questions ever devised, someone once gave me a great piece of advice that I think applies to this idea of moral relativism: no person’s belief is inherently worthy of respect, but every person is.

[weldlys-sfw]

You are not alone - KingDings

Pairing : Kingdings (GasterxAsgore) Warning : Reference to past character death. Sumarry : This year, for Chara and Asriel‘s death anniversary, Asgore won’t be alone. For the first time, Gaster will be with him.

My entry to this contest. For the hurt/comfort category with the theme: “New experiences.” Not sure that it fits the theme, but at least I tried XD

SheenaKazia beta read me, thank you for your help ! ♥

People had always looked up to Asgore. He represented their hope to get out of the Underground. He had learned to hide how he really felt. He could not be weak in front of his people. They needed him to be strong. Now that they were on the surface, he had kept doing that, even with his lover. He acted like nothing was wrong even when he was hurting. But Gaster could see through that. He quickly noticed the change in his mate. The scientist saw that his smiles were not genuine. He saw that he slept less. He saw that his eyes were red from crying.

Unfortunately, he knew what was happening. He could not really do something about it. No one could do something about it. It was impossible to change the past and it was impossible to bring someone back from the dead.

Like every year, came the anniversary of Chara and Asriel’s death.

Gaster did not know the two children well. When they were alive, he was not really close to the royal family. Just like all the monsters, he had mourned them though. But, just like the other monsters, it was the hope that he really mourned. These two children had represented the hope of a new future. The hope that humans and monsters could get along and after the war, this idea was reassuring. But that hope had died with them. After that, he had learned to know Asgore more. However, he fell into the core before the first anniversary of their death.

This meant that he never really saw Asgore grieving. He had never been there to help him through this. Neither as a friend or as a lover.

It was not only with Asgore. Gaster never dealt with grief. Apart from his sons, he had never been close enough to someone to really care. It was the first time that he had to support someone mourning. In his scientist mind, death was a part of life. They were dead, you are alive and if you want to stay alive, you move on. He did not believe in some kind of heaven or a better place for the dead. They just ceased to exist. But… He could not say that to Asgore. He truly wanted to help him. If Asgore needed to believe that they were happier somewhere else, then he will believe in that too. And he will be there for him.

He knew that Asgore never really moved on. He understood. He, himself, would never moved on if his two sons died. It was like losing a part of yourself that will never come back. Most of time, Asgore was okay. He lived his life and was happy. But at the current time, Gaster felt like he was still mourning.

Willing to help, he tried to do some research on mourning. He wished to provide all the help he could. But in the end all Gaster could do was be there for his lover. He had been more present than usual, slowing down a little with his experiments. He had tried to show that he loved him. Unfortunately, he did not know the kids well enough to talk about happy memories. So he said nothing. He was not even certain that Asgore understood that he was more gentle than usual because of this sad anniversary coming. The king never talked clearly about it.  he must have thought that Gaster had forgotten. But he had not. If it was important to Asgore than it was important to Gaster.

Eventually, the day came. Gaster specially took a day off. He did not want Asgore to go to the graveyards alone. He was his mate and he had to be with him. They were together on the happy moments but they were also together on the difficult moments. He knew that Asgore needed him. He was not going to walk out on him.

Gaster looked at himself in the mirror. Usually, he liked to wear black. But today it was different. Today he wore black because it represent grief.

He was not startled to see Asgore suddenly entering in their bedroom. The king was already wearing a black suit. When he was not wearing his king’s attire, he preferred colorful clothes. It was strange to see him dressed like this.

“What are you doing?” Asgore asked, truly surprised.

Gaster was supposed to work today. Why was he here? He must have forget something at home.

“I’m coming with you.” Gaster answered as if it was natural. And in his eyes it was.

Asgore was not expecting this. It was just that he had been alone on that day for so long… He had not even thought Gaster would want to accompagne him. He did not ask by fear of refusal. But he should have known that his lover would always be there for him. This relationship was still new. It felt weird to not be alone.

He weakly smiled at his mate. He was truly happy that Gaster went with him, but today he felt like he was not able of really smiling. And without words, the scientist understood. He nodded and spoke about something else.

“Why are we going so late by the way?”

“Toriel visits them today as well.” He explained. “Our relationship is still very tense and I don’t want to make her uncomfortable so… I wait a little and visit them when I know that she is gone.”

“Wait.” Gaster looked confused. “Do you mean that you always visit them alone?”

He always thought that despite their broken relationship, they, at least, were together on today of all days. Who could understand better how he felt? And no one should be alone on the anniversary of their children’s death.

Asgore nodded silently.

Gaster cursed himself and the void. He should have been there. And he was not because he was stuck into the void. It was heartbreaking to imagine his mate, all alone with his grief, facing his two children’s graves.

He moved towards Asgore and hugged him.

“I’m here now.” He held him tighter, just to let him feel that he was not going anywhere. “I’m here.” This time he would not be alone. He would support him. He was here.

It was the first time that Gaster came to their tombstone. There was already a lot of flowers, proof that they were not the first to come here. Still, he put down his own bouquet. Asgore had not brought one. He only brought a small water can to water some golden flowers. Gaster idly thought that he must be the one who planted them.

They were silent for a few minutes. And Gaster stayed silent as Asgore started to sob. Just the thought of his sons dying broke his heart. He could not imagine the pain Asgore carried. He desperately wanted to help him but he was lost. What was he supposed to do? What was he supposed to say? Was there anything to say? He felt helpless. He could not change the past. He hoped that just being next to him would help. He listened too, without saying a thing. The words that Asgore spoke were not for him. It was memories he did not know about. There was nothing to say, he could only listen.

He felt this indescribable sorrow through their soul bond. He could send some happiness through that bound. It would help Asgore feel better. But he did not. Gaster understood that he needed to express that sorrow. He could not keep it inside forever. Crying and being sad were good, they helped with moving on.

After a long moment, and a whispered “good bye” to the tomstone, Asgore spoke to him.

“I need... to visit someone else.”

When he saw that guilt in his eyes, Gaster immediately knew who he was talking about. The six fallen human. They had been buried here too. And for some reason, Asgore felt like he had to visit them too. The scientist did not really understand why. But it would not prevent him from supportting him anyway.

“Okay.” With that, he took his lover’s hand in his own. He silently said that he was not alone. He was going to go with him.

“You don’t have too. You can wait here. I…” Gaster saw that he tried to hold back his tears, without really succeeding. “I would understand.”

No. He did not understand. And that was sad. Gaster thought. He gently cupped Asgore’s cheek but the king avoided his gaze.

“Darling, look at me please.” He gently asked. He did not want to upset his lover any further. However, Asgore needed to hear this. After a few seconds, he eventually looked into the scientist's eyes. All the love he saw, made him wonder what he did deserve it.

“Could you remind me what you told me about my experiments. My illegals and dangerous experiments that almost killed me and left my sons orphans for years”

It was at the very start of their relationship. Gaster was still getting used to being alive again. It was hard but everyone was here for him. He could not understand why. He was only a fool who caused his own demise and left his sons without a father. He just never said it outloud. Until, one day, he broke down before Asgore. Through his sobbing, he asked how someone could love him. He said that maybe he should have stayed in the void. It would have been better for everyone. But Asgore had not let him finish that thought.

“I said that… I know what you’ve done and it doesn’t change my feelings for you. I love you, and I’m going to be with you as long as you need me.” He whispered, as he remembered that moment.

The words were still etched in his soul. They meant a lot to him. Asgore did not judge him. He did not ignore his past or acted like it never happened. He accepted it. He accepted it and he still loved him. He wanted to move on with him.

How could Asgore think that it would be different for him?

“Asgore, I know what you’ve done and it doesn’t change my feelings for you.” He slowly repeated. Because those words were true for him too. “I love you, and I’m gonna be with you as long as you need me.” He let the words sink in for a second. “I’m not leaving you alone.” He firmly added.

He did not know how to help him and he wished that he could do more. But he knew one thing for sure. He was not leaving him alone. Asgore had been alone with his guilt and pain for too long. Now he was here with him, and he was not letting go.

Asgore nodded. He said nothing but Gaster could see the words helped.

Hand in hand, they visited the tombstones of the six fallen humans. The ones that Asgore had to kill.

Gaster actually never saw their graves. He knew their names and how they looked like before though. Asgore never forget them. Sometimes, he would talk about them. He would complain how he knew nothing about them. And Gaster listened. He could said nothing. He knew that nothing he would say could erase that guilt he was feeling.

For each graves, there was a little pot of golden flowers. The scientist noticed that they were in a good state. Asgore must pass through here often to water them. He disliked the idea of his mate alone with his past. He should have been there he repeated to himself.

“I’m sorry.” The king whispered to every tombstone. “I’m sorry.”

He squeezed Asgore’s hand tighter.  He was silently crying too. He had been ready to support his mate. But he hadn’t been expecting to feel this much sorrow for people he never knew. Maybe it was the atmosphere that made him more sensible. Or maybe it was the pain of his mate that affected him so deeply.

Once they finished, Asgore softly wiped off the tears of his lover.

“Maybe you shouldn’t have…”

“Don’t finish that sentence. I’m happy if I was able to help you, even a little.”

Asgore could not lie. It did help. It did not ease the guilt. But it made him feel less miserable. Having Gaster next to him reassured him. Gaster saw his answer on his face.

“Then I’m coming with you from now on.” He said. “If you need to come here, just tell me and I will come with you. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Let’s go home.”

Gaster teleported them back home. Asgore did not had the time to do anything as Gaster immediately sat him down on the couch and covered him with a blanket.

“Do you want tea?”

Asgore nodded. “But I can…”

“No. Don’t move, I’m taking care of this.”

Gaster went into the kitchen, leaving him alone for a second. He liked cooking. To him, it was bit like science and he often cooked with Papyrus. But he actually never made tea. He prefered coffee. He knew how to do it and he saw Asgore do it many time but he never tried. He slowly breathed. Okay. It was just tea. There was no way he would failed that. He was nervous because he wanted it to be perfect.

He quickly made the tea. He did not want Asgore to be alone for too long. He wondered if his rushing spoiled the tea.

But, Asgore gently smiled at him as he took a sip of it.

“It’s really good, thank you.”

Gaster knew that it was not as good as Asgore’s tea. But he truly tried his best and made it with love. After being with Asgore he had learned that sometimes, it was enough.

“Do you need something else?”

Gaster preferred to ask and maybe being a little annoying. Because he knew  Asgore would never say anything on his own. He was probably thinking that he had already bothered him enough. It will take time, but he will learn that he did not bother him.

Asgore shook his head. Gaster glared at him for a second. He wanted to be certain that he was not lying. He was not. Maybe he will need something later. But for now, he truly just wanted to rest a bit.

Gaster sat down next to him.

“Do you want to talk about them?” He softly asked.

About Chara and Asriel or about the fallen human. It did not mattered. He would listen anyway. If Asgore needed to talk, he would listen.

“Not now.”

Later then. Because he knew that at some point he would need to talk.

For now, he only cuddled against Asgore. Taking care of your loved one was really weary. Don’t get him wrong, he did not regret a second of it. He only wished that he was better at it. He was aware that it was often Asgore taking care of him and more rarely the contrary.

However, they had not been together for long. Some things were still new. But he hoped that it will become an habit.

“I love you.” Gaster suddenly said, as he closed his eyes and he snuggled his mate more.

“Tell me if you need something.” He added.

Asgore smiled a little. It was not a big smile but it was already something.

“Thank you for being there.” He answered.

“Please, never forget that you are not alone.”

Asgore had been alone for a long time, after Toriel left. But today, despite this sad anniversary, he truly realised that he was not alone anymore.

“I won’t.”