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17 comments
Seriously.
I don't say that because of our long story telling friendship, I say it because you are good. Very good. You truly have the gift.
The break down of Fleur when she understands what Rathe has understood all along...Brilliant.
And now she wants him to kill Reagan? She certainly deserves it and I agree that his "Sister" died long ago, but still, If he says he can't do it Fleur should respect it. And certainly not call him a coward!
And WTF is this with Darius?????? You knocked me out of my chair with that one!!!
Brilliant work hon!
Not very wise, especially with Rathe being in an even more anti-social, misanthropic mood than normal, even for him.^^
Then, when " Death-wishing Darius" is (damn-near) "busted" (in more ways than one)^^ by the angry Shadow-Walker, Darius reveals his capacity to think quickly on-his-feet, apparently successfully bullsh*tting Rathe in absolutely brilliant fashion with the VERY specific type of flattery that he definitely wouldn't expect. Very crafty and cunning lad....^^
Interesting note:
If Rathe won't kill his evil, Satanically-estranged Sis, but can still kill cold-bloodedly, then I wonder....Fleur may not be able to kill cold-bloodedly, but she's proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that she CAN and HAS killed blatantly-evil people without much hesitation....interesting little cross-ironic situation there, wouldn't you say??^^
Hmmm....how may that little detail bode for the future, I wonder.....
Endorsed. Warm thanks for this interesting build-up, Jess, and cheers, dear!
Good philosophical point... That may have some interesting ramifications... ah that Rathe, he's an enigma!
Hope to have another up before to much longer! Thanks again dear.
I really don't quite know what to think of Darius and what motivations he might have to follow Rathe, not sure how much of that hero worship is genuine or what other reason for which he may be smiling as Rathe suspects, he is still a mystery and such things can be dangerous. A wonderfully crafted emotional chapter, Jess
Ah it's a messy and complicated relationship between the two. Something you said made me realise something important about Fleur; her anger, fiery as her hair... SO true. She is afire mage down to her very core and that is the embodiment of her behaviour; fiery, passionate, hot, all consuming. That is how she interacts with people, how she lives her life. She really IS fire.
And Rathe who is so cold and calculating is quite the antithesis of Fleur. An interesting idea if one believes in opposites attracting... I fear though that they may end up pushing one another away with such extreme opposite personalities. Very astute observation my dear!
Darius... he's just a mystery.
Thanks again hon especially for the epiphany!
Coward - Fleur is right but she should not have said that. I think Rathe needs to remove Zuzu if he is ever going to move on with his life. If he truly wants to save his sister kill her and set her soul free and let the gods decide her ultimate fate.
Fleur - This time I kept in the front of my mind she is a young girl so while I think she is still being a bit of a b&@*$ she is young and often fueled by emotion. I like Fleur but in the case of Zuzu she is the real coward. She wants Rathe to make his own sacrifice in killing her sister and yet she is not willing to do it herself because she doesn't want to "dirty" her soul. Oblivious to the fact that "hiring" Rathe to do it (via emotional blackmail) is the same thing in some ways - actually worse as it is a less honorable way of killing off someone you hate - hire someone else to do it instead of do it yourself. In many ways she is still very selfish only thinking of herself. Rathe may not have been raped like she was but his life has certainly not been a kind one either - in many ways the emotional and physical ordeals he has had to endured are very brutal and have damaged him as mcuh as it has Fleur. Both went through severe trauma as children. In some ways I think Rathe thinks more about Fleur then Fleur thinks about him. He was very gentle, at first, with her over the whole killing. Fleur is pretty much in her own world with her own wants and needs at the forefront. But I will repeat I do like her and understand she is a teenager who has been through hell. I just don't see Rathe, who isn't a saint, to devote the type of attention to her that she might feel she deserves.
Rathe - Ah Rathe. He is a killer so I don't expect good deeds from him or any real positive emotions. He is a lone wolf who has to think of himself first if he is going to survive. Yet I also don't see him as evil so don't expect him to be cruel or mean just for the sake of it. I think you keep him in character very well. I admit I keep hoping he dumps Fleur but I know that won't happen :p :-)
Darius - While I have my suspicions about him, for now I will take him at face value and say I liked the scene where he confessed his hero worship. If it was all an act (which I sometimes think it might be) then I will detest and revile him. But for now I will assume he is being honest and on that assumption say I really enjoyed that whole scene and part of me hopes he is being honest.
I think I would like to see Fleur and Darius together while Rathe and his horse ride off into the sunset someday, finally at peace with himself.
Great images and story Jess, really enjoyed this one!
You're spot on with Fleur and her behaviour; she IS a teenager first and foremost and a narcissist to boot. HER needs come first. HER wants come first. But growing up as she did where Alain focused so much of his attention on her (albeit because he was 'grooming' her for a life of prostitution) I can't blame her. She needs a good long talking to and shaking by the shoulders and someone to point out; hey, you've got a devoted, adult man there interested in you, grow up or lose him!!
Rathe is easy to write. He's like an old glove now. Cold, calculating but with a soft centre. Yes he's a killer and if someone passed him a bag full of gold and pointed at you, you'd be dead within a heartbeat, but he's not evil as you've said (well, maybe except when he tortured the Albino but he deserved it!! ).
And like I said to Nat, Darius?? Well, I got to have Rathe slap him in this chapter so it's all good!!
Thanks again hon.
great story and pictures
excellentes work
For me Fleur admission of inability to kill Vittoria was not so surprising, she was always more of mage type than assassin, killing in rage or self defense which is very different from assassination as Rathe has put it. The person must have it in him or her, this ability to be ruthless yet there are no words can describe how disappointed I am with Fleur admission with inability to kill Regan.
If that admission come from confessing she is simply too incompetent to perform the murder or rather delayed judgment, I would understand but she claims she just can't... and tries to manipulate Rathe into it, while it is obvious he is not interested. If he was interested, as soon as he discovered what happened with Fleur all that time ago, he would have traveled to Riften and its citizens soon would have a nice view of Red Rose Madam head on a spike... But no and I was so hoping that Fleur would perform her deserved revenge herself, but time after time she proves to be weak, unable to defend herself and seeking her knight in shining armor or enforcer who will fight for her and defend her. But Skyrim is not fairy tale and I am afraid for Fleur this knowledge might come too late... Fleur seemed to be born fitting for role either of a mage in secluded College or housewife, who always has their man to defend them, given if she will happily marry but adventitious life or gods preserve assassins life is clearly not meant for her...
As for Rathe, Mr. Broody whom I've missed as much as Fleur... Maybe I am wrong but he seemed to be an example of dominant alpha male type - strong and confident, ready to make tough choices and decisions, but having poor ability with admitting his own mistakes and failures. Of course admitting that Regan is a failure for him is not just admitting mistake, it is like a confession that his life was devoid of real purpose, but it is life as it is, he must let go of the past and embrace the present and future, though it will probably be the toughest thing he will do and somehow I am afraid to imagine what might push him to that revelation...
Regan was indeed a mistake and failure, but that he must not blame on himself since he was too young to protect her back then and now she is vile corrupted creature bend on destroying him and what is dear to him. If past tragedy with Fleur did not give him any clue, it is time to admit it now. But maybe like Fleur has put it, aside of Regan's obvious threat, Rathe simply doesn't love Fleur enough or maybe is not ready to put his past aside for her since she would have killed Alain for him... if these are not just loud words on her part, since recently Fleur has developed a nasty manipulative streak. When you love someone dearly, everything else holds second place, people kill and die for love, so it gives a lot of questions, was this is true love that Rathe feels for Fleur or maybe it is a great fondness with foundation of Rathe's desire of seeking closeness with someone, of caring for someone helpless, pure and innocent, so Fleur was a reminder of what Regan might be if not that tragedy... Maybe I am overlooking this, or this is my bitterness, but after Fleur was defiled and spoke her cruel words which was born out of her pain and misery Rathe seemed to loose all interest in her, since after her running away from him in that inn he drank himself to oblivion instead of searching for her...
With all my attraction and fondness for Rathe, it seemed to me more then once that he is more focused on himself and his own emotions, issues and problems, but he lived his life alone until he met with Fleur, so it is hard to him to adjust... And killing Regan|Zuzu... well, people just shoot rapid dog or poison plagued rats not asking about their motivation, because there is none and Regan will spread that corruption and misery in his life and life of other people as long as she lives... And speaking of opportunities, Fleur is again left alone which gives another opportunity to strike... Probably Rathe might understand that Regan needs to be put down only when he will find dead Fleur or her head send to him in box with warmest greetings... But I hope it won't get that dark!
And finally Darius... I don't trust that lad at all, he is probably happy that Rathe had a verbal fight with Fleur and she was left alone while he can fool Rathe with his zeal of hero worship. Rathe should have read Cicero's journal when mad jester told how he killed the Grand Champion of the arena while posing as adoring fan...
I am so looking forward for continuation, although I have a feeling that things will turn out even darker and thank you very much for sharing your awesome work!
This was a bit of a tough one for poor Rathe. I put Fleur's behaviour down to three facts; 1) she's a teen. 2) She's emotional (trauma + hormones + devastatingly handsome older man in her life
Still though, it's a hard demand on Rathe who has his own reasons why he can't kill his sister (she's his sister, she's been the focus of his life for 20 something years and even though he CAN kill in cold blood, it's different when that person shares so much history with the killer). That said, you're right about him needing to be on guard because ZuZu probably won't just let the matter drop. She's psychotic and has fixed her sights on him (wrongly). But once again, I think it's a bit of blindness on his part to imagine that his sister (sweet Regan) would possibly come after him (them) again... blindness akin to folly.
I think you're right in that Rathe feels true deep love for Fleur (mixed up with responsibility and seeing her as a substitute Regan) but Fleur also feels love for Rathe... she's just too young to recognise it and treat it with the right respect. Maybe one day...
And as for Darius, well... all I can say was I'm glad Rathe got to slap him finally!!
Thanks again hon and I may even get the next one up today...
Great episode, the poor old guy's getting it in the neck from Fleur and now Darius is following him like a lost sheep!
(Still don't trust the little S***! )
Thanks dear!!
Did fluer curse for the first time :O
and i was as surprised as rathe was when darius said he loved his work...that was hilarious and kinda sweet too ...