They do not meet the criteria. Yes, they walked hand in fearful hand when they found the "courage" to do so, yet they hid their thoughts, feelings, and deepest secrets from one another, even up until the end. I doubt a little penetration has fixed them. Dave, so obsessed with his perception of self that he cannot even see himself no matter how closely he stands to the mirror. Even when finding his clarity in the arms of his saint, he could only see through a pinhole. And then Karkat, whose perception of self is so disjointed from his deeds and capability that he may as well have reached down and snipped his own Achilles tendons. Even in their moments of truth and desperation they could not bear it for more than seconds at a time. Both men are so driven by fear and live so fully in their own heads.
I think that when a man has committed himself so fully to one outcome that it requires faith as fuel, he cannot possibly see it the way others do. Especially when his own fears and insecurities are whispering in his ear, can he even be certain that he knows what drives him?
Does the main character know what the audience knows? Is the Narrator even reliable when he has personal stake in the actions of his characters? When it is only his loosed rats in the maze that hold his most coveted prize?
I think that when a man has committed himself so fully to one outcome that it requires faith as fuel, he cannot possibly see it the way others do. Especially when his own fears and insecurities are whispering in his ear, can he even be certain that he knows what drives him?
Does the main character know what the audience knows? Is the Narrator even reliable when he has personal stake in the actions of his characters? When it is only his loosed rats in the maze that hold his most coveted prize?
Edited 2021-03-19 05:46 (UTC)
[I'm disappointed.
It's a weird feeling, and I actually have to take a moment to interrogate it for purpose. Well. I don't have to. But I do, because I'm already here inside my own thoughts so I might as well. Also, the reason is actually really obvious. It just... hurts to read it. I'm being serious. It's actually physically painful. Makes it hard to muster a response at all. To my unending credit, though, I do.]
Amazing. Every word of what you just said was wrong. You've fundamentally misunderstood the entire work. Including the parts I explicitly detailed in the text.
I'm choosing to believe you've done this on purpose, possibly to spite me. But fine, what 'prize' are my 'rats' running for?
It's a weird feeling, and I actually have to take a moment to interrogate it for purpose. Well. I don't have to. But I do, because I'm already here inside my own thoughts so I might as well. Also, the reason is actually really obvious. It just... hurts to read it. I'm being serious. It's actually physically painful. Makes it hard to muster a response at all. To my unending credit, though, I do.]
Amazing. Every word of what you just said was wrong. You've fundamentally misunderstood the entire work. Including the parts I explicitly detailed in the text.
I'm choosing to believe you've done this on purpose, possibly to spite me. But fine, what 'prize' are my 'rats' running for?
Hm, is that so? You only say that when I've come very close to something interesting.
But you know it well. How this ends. Their only prize will be a narrative with you absent. Your son takes your place. Who will be his hero?
I will be saddened of your retirement. You did not appear frequently enough as it was. And without your part? My they could be dreadful.
But you know it well. How this ends. Their only prize will be a narrative with you absent. Your son takes your place. Who will be his hero?
I will be saddened of your retirement. You did not appear frequently enough as it was. And without your part? My they could be dreadful.
Edited 2021-03-19 09:01 (UTC)
I do not.
Besides, it's all right there. Dave's hero is Karkat, obviously. Or better yet, it's still me. I left you wanting on purpose, but by the time there's a real climax, he and everyone else will be plenty willing to take their prizes. The scene that comes after me, assuming that time actually comes. THANKS FOR PLAYING, but actually earned this time. Not just won, but hard won. And actually worth it.
Isn't that exciting? It should be. I'm excited just thinking about it.
Besides, it's all right there. Dave's hero is Karkat, obviously. Or better yet, it's still me. I left you wanting on purpose, but by the time there's a real climax, he and everyone else will be plenty willing to take their prizes. The scene that comes after me, assuming that time actually comes. THANKS FOR PLAYING, but actually earned this time. Not just won, but hard won. And actually worth it.
Isn't that exciting? It should be. I'm excited just thinking about it.
Edited 2021-03-19 09:16 (UTC)
[As always, little escapes Hythlodaeus' notice. With his suspicions confirmed, he makes his plan.]
Then I sincerely thank you. How thoughtful to pay the neighborhood elder a little visit in his loneliness.
[Hythlodaeus picks up a his sweater from where it was slung around the back of the chair. He holds the sleeves and neck pinched closed in one hand, the hem open to make a bag. He approaches the Salandit from behind, allowing decent distance.]
Then I sincerely thank you. How thoughtful to pay the neighborhood elder a little visit in his loneliness.
[Hythlodaeus picks up a his sweater from where it was slung around the back of the chair. He holds the sleeves and neck pinched closed in one hand, the hem open to make a bag. He approaches the Salandit from behind, allowing decent distance.]
[Lanque gives a shrug, and if it were anyone but him, it might seem like modest deflection, but it's more him being indifferent towards being thanked. However, he's now interested in watching what Hythlodaeus is going to do with his Salandit who is on the hunt, and so he remains silent and watches.
The Salandit, however, doesn't seem to notice Hythlodaeus right away. Not when a Cutiefly has foolishly fluttered into the room and his eyes are locked onto the unaware little bug. Tail moving in a wave-like motion behind it as it slowly stalks forward, silent with each step, but then the air suddenly gets sickeningly sweet smelling...which gets the cutiefly's attention.
Just as planned! As the Cutiefly draws nearer, the Salandit goes for the lunge!]
The Salandit, however, doesn't seem to notice Hythlodaeus right away. Not when a Cutiefly has foolishly fluttered into the room and his eyes are locked onto the unaware little bug. Tail moving in a wave-like motion behind it as it slowly stalks forward, silent with each step, but then the air suddenly gets sickeningly sweet smelling...which gets the cutiefly's attention.
Just as planned! As the Cutiefly draws nearer, the Salandit goes for the lunge!]
[Right quick Hythlodaeus swings his makeshift bag and scoops up the hapless lizard. He twists and turns the fabric, finally knotting it- Turning the sweater turned bag into a backpack with its little head sticking out, yet secured snugly within. He hands the bundle to Lanque.]
Perhaps your companion would like a bit of lunch that doesn't include my personal swarm?
Perhaps your companion would like a bit of lunch that doesn't include my personal swarm?
[It's that quick action and thinking that saves Hythlodaeus from that sweater-made-backpack taking on its third evolution as a ball of fire. With Lanque securely holding the grumpy lizard lad, any thought of engulfing the fabric leaves his otherwise empty head.
Lanque, however, looks pretty amused at his Salandit's predicament and how seamlessly Hythlodaeus thwarted him.]
I do suppose we haven't eaten yet, but he really is a picky eater. I don't know if he'll be willing to eat anything else when there's all these Cutiefly about.
[The grumble and huff from the bound Salandit all but confirms Lanque's assumption.]
But I'm not here over his appetite.
Lanque, however, looks pretty amused at his Salandit's predicament and how seamlessly Hythlodaeus thwarted him.]
I do suppose we haven't eaten yet, but he really is a picky eater. I don't know if he'll be willing to eat anything else when there's all these Cutiefly about.
[The grumble and huff from the bound Salandit all but confirms Lanque's assumption.]
But I'm not here over his appetite.
Is that so? Have you changed your mind about the jelly filled gelatin?
[ They really are rather convincing, as far as mold-made grubs went. He shoos the Cutiefly away to safety as he looks between lizard and man. ]
Even if he's making his appetite my problem now. My cutiefly are strictly off-limits. So... He just may have to make do with what he is allowed.
[ They really are rather convincing, as far as mold-made grubs went. He shoos the Cutiefly away to safety as he looks between lizard and man. ]
Even if he's making his appetite my problem now. My cutiefly are strictly off-limits. So... He just may have to make do with what he is allowed.
Edited 2021-04-05 05:08 (UTC)
I haven't. It's not the gelatin that I'm wanting filled.
[The part about his Salandit he ignores as he places the little guy down, and crosses the distance between himself and Hythlodaeus, getting what most would consider uncomfortably close.]
I know you're not so stupid that I have to spell it out for you.
[The part about his Salandit he ignores as he places the little guy down, and crosses the distance between himself and Hythlodaeus, getting what most would consider uncomfortably close.]
I know you're not so stupid that I have to spell it out for you.
He craves what he cannot have, I see.
[ His smile spreads on his lips as he casually puts a little distance between them, sitting in one of the hopelessly undersized chairs at the table. ]
...Though I think I understand. It is always the forbidden fruit that tastes the sweetest. Isn't that right?
[ His smile spreads on his lips as he casually puts a little distance between them, sitting in one of the hopelessly undersized chairs at the table. ]
...Though I think I understand. It is always the forbidden fruit that tastes the sweetest. Isn't that right?
[His grin doesn't fade, even with that rejection. Though it doesn't come across to him as a solid one. Simply something that needs a bit more picking.]
Sure, but I really don't see what the issue is--no one's here, right?
[Stepping closer again, he rests his palm on the table next to where Hythlodaeus has taken his seat. Ordinarily this would put him at a height advantage over someone, looming over them as a powerplay, but this just puts them at eye level with each other.
Whatever.]
I won't tell, don't have any reason to--or are you going to have me believe you never do anything in secret.
[As he says this, he glances at Hythlodaeus' little chemistry set over yonder, before locking eyes with his again, eyebrow quirked.]
Sure, but I really don't see what the issue is--no one's here, right?
[Stepping closer again, he rests his palm on the table next to where Hythlodaeus has taken his seat. Ordinarily this would put him at a height advantage over someone, looming over them as a powerplay, but this just puts them at eye level with each other.
Whatever.]
I won't tell, don't have any reason to--or are you going to have me believe you never do anything in secret.
[As he says this, he glances at Hythlodaeus' little chemistry set over yonder, before locking eyes with his again, eyebrow quirked.]
[ He'd be lying if he said he wasn't the least bit tempted. ]
This house is absolutely riddled with spies. Especially in the kitchen. But there is plenty I do in secret, you have me there.
[ This is amusing, to say the least. He'll let this attempt run its course. ]
This house is absolutely riddled with spies. Especially in the kitchen. But there is plenty I do in secret, you have me there.
[ This is amusing, to say the least. He'll let this attempt run its course. ]
[Lanque's gaze goes to the collection of Yamask masks adorning the far wall, wondering idly if that's what he means, but he doesn't voice the question. His attention returning to Hythlodaeus, he shrugs.]
So then why is this different? One more secret to keep from your spies. Really, it's just some fun, and I can tell there's a lot you want to do to me just by how you look at me...
[His voice goes low and sultry as he says that last bit, very clearly trying to lay on the seductive charm. Eyes half-lidded, and his tongue darting out across his (shortened) fangs.]
We can always go somewhere more private.
So then why is this different? One more secret to keep from your spies. Really, it's just some fun, and I can tell there's a lot you want to do to me just by how you look at me...
[His voice goes low and sultry as he says that last bit, very clearly trying to lay on the seductive charm. Eyes half-lidded, and his tongue darting out across his (shortened) fangs.]
We can always go somewhere more private.
[He follows his gaze, smiling as he knows that this is barely the half of it.]
Ah yes, just one more to add to the pile. [He folds his hands and smiles. How he looks at him? What a little projection there. He knew he was getting himself into trouble, but with no fear attached. Hopefully he just wouldn't piss off Lanque so much so that he wouldn't let him use his shiny pokemon for breeding. With that in mind... ]
Where would you have us go?
Ah yes, just one more to add to the pile. [He folds his hands and smiles. How he looks at him? What a little projection there. He knew he was getting himself into trouble, but with no fear attached. Hopefully he just wouldn't piss off Lanque so much so that he wouldn't let him use his shiny pokemon for breeding. With that in mind... ]
Where would you have us go?
[action; backdated to March, while Claudia and Shinobu are doing work for Hythlodaeus]
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un_oiseau_rebelle
2021-04-07 07:20 am (UTC)(link)
[At some point during the month, Shinobu takes a break from what he's doing and seeks out Hythlodaeus.]
Ah, Hythlodaeus? Another Salandit egg has hatched.
Ah, Hythlodaeus? Another Salandit egg has hatched.
Hello, I'm contacting you about your breeding ranch and potentially purchasing some eggs from you. Shiny is optional, I just prefer raising my own pokemon.
((OOC: Hope this is okay! Kick me in the shin if not lol.))
((OOC: Hope this is okay! Kick me in the shin if not lol.))
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