And Dee maintains her rank as my very favorite character. Because, despite her idiosyncrasies and occasional hypocrisies, she is one of the few people in that whole place significantly trying to better herself, as well as those around her.
Thing is, though, she pretty much brings them on herself. For a clever person, she doesn't half switch her brain off a lot of the... oh... first year university student and born academic who's just discovered sex. Right.
I wonder how Tara got her sense of entitlement. I could imagine having my body joined with that of my twin, but that would lead me to severe depression, not uncivilized torment of others. But, that is me. I'd probably be the Sara of the conglomeration, hoping for his removal. I guess I shouldn't rant on how stupid the character is, because that is her role. She is the bigoted, self-entitled jerk. I just wish that I didn't know people that would act the same way to people in the real world.
Also, I hope that Kiersta actually listens to Dee. I know that her character is stressed, but there is only so much that she can allow to happen before someone takes notice (I hope). (I also nominate that conversation for the next OT)
There was an other story showing Tara and Sara before the joining. Their separate personalities were well established; at most the fusion just enhanced what was already there.
If Tara dies-- or sustains permanent unhealable brain damage because the injury is left untreated too long-- what happens to Sara? And their shared body?
I think something like that happening has been set up very nicely, especially in this chapter where Sara is increasingly vehement in denying that "she" did certain things that Tara did. Her weak, silly, but not fundamentally malicious personality is really struggling to differentiate itself from Tara's bitch monster of death. If her sister loses brain function, I really wonder what's going to happen to the both of them.
Also, I love Two's reaction to the piercings:
"They're horrible!"
"Amaranth gave them t--"
"Oh, okay."
Really nice little moment that shows how much comfort Two, the former chattel who still dreams of the days when everything was okay because she was just someone's property, takes in Mackenzie's perceivedly similar status as Amaranth's "toy." If Amaranth did it to Mackenzie, no matter what it was, it's Officially Okay, because Amaranth is Mackenzie's owner. Disturbing, yes, but very convincing and subtle.
Also also, I just realized how powerfully Dee reminds me of Judith Martin's "Miss Manners" persona. You know, if Miss Manners were the dark priestess of a forsaken deity of infinite intricacy... oh wait. ;)
Also also, I just realized how powerfully Dee reminds me
of Judith Martin's "Miss Manners" persona. You know, if Miss Manners
were the dark priestess of a forsaken deity of infinite
intricacy... oh wait. ;)
Holy monkey ninja, Dee(AKA Queen of Calm Composure) lost it, yelled AND "Swore". *0o0* I soooo wanna see what she says to Kiersta.
Tara needs to slip into a coma! I think Sara might be salcagable if her her sister wasn't actively around.
ToMU+MoToMU=MUniverse Extended! "AE's creativity.....IT'S OVER 9000!" "I must not Ook. Ook is the mind-killer. Ook is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my Ook. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the Ook has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
Dee will sort out the mess and Kiersta. Hazel has sorted out Tara. Mack might have to sort out Kai, but since Kiersta was the one who got everyone up, she should be the one to suffer. I wonder if Kai can do Doctor Tofu Ono's bottom-pat of delayed paraplegia from Ranma ½? That would be fun.
As a priestess of intricacy, Dee will know that sometimes a post can be filled by someone who is not capable. If that person cannot be replaced in that post then those that are able must support and manage them until such time as they become capable, or a replacement can be made. Maybe Kiersta will be joining Mack and Dee for their meditation session. And I wonder whether Dee can do the old "wring and rinse" detox? (This can be done in a number of ways, both magical and herbal, but basically forces all of the alcohol and metabolites out of the body by the shortest path - front hole, back holes and sweat pores included. It is without a doubt one of the more unpleasant things a body can experience. Side effects include massively accelerated and condensed withdrawal symptoms and near inability to stomach alcohol in future. That's the "wring". You must make sure there will be plenty of clean water available for the "rinse" - the subject will be dehydrated and rank.)
If Dee does sort it, I suppose that means we can rule out Kiersta trying to murder one of her charges. I don't think she would have been much good at it, hence the lighter edge.
"She tried to kill my Maliko! How dare she!!" [ha-dou-ken!]
"You're not supposed to attack me like that." [zap!]
Tara must be in a bad way for Dee to get that exercised over her. It is possible for a conjoined twin to survive the death of their sibling, but there is a great risk of the survivor getting dragged down after them sooner or later. Usually sooner. If Tara descends into a vegetative state, Sara might well survive. Whether she would be able to gain full control of the other half of her body is another matter.
Hazel was probably too furious to think tactically (not that her tactics were ineffective!) but with her height, she should practice elbow strikes at opponents knees. Not the easiest thing to pull off, but in a world with instant healing, it provides immediate disablement and loss of mobility without risk of permanent harm. Of course, it's so much easier to do when one has hooves...
As to all the Owains, how do they tell them apart without their surnames? Are they pronounced with different emphasis? Owain as opposed to Owain as opposed to Owain?
Can someone point me to the conversation where it's stated that Mack has to clean the bathroon? I was under the impression it was a one timer last time not an on going job, but perhaps I'm mistaken in this.
I imagine it's a bit akin to pronouns. In theory. Talking about a man, you use he, him, his, and so forth. You also refer to his child as male. If otherwise, it's a girl.
Although I expect this is far less a matter of pronouns and more a matter of excuses.
These are the chapters that I love. I always wanted to see the twins get beaten and it figures that it comes from one of the most win filled characters.
Okay, firstly - this. This. This, this, this is the reason I love Dee so very much.
Secondly - the events moved a little... fast? Conveniently? Something about it felt a little off, as though rushing towards the conclusion for something, or to get some action out of the way, or to write a chapter for the sake of it rather than because there was some story to tell.
Ah. Yes, that was it - there was no plot-moving there, just a re-assertion of how various of the different characters tend to act, except kind of caricatured, and so it was a bit of a disappointment. Well, okay, there was a Tara-beating, which is almost fan-service (except maybe without enough detail for the hard-core Taraphobes), and presumably is a way of bringing on a separation of the Terrible 1½? Oh, will I never give up my vain habit of trying to second-guess AE?!
Sorry. But still: Dee for the win. I want to hear more about Kiersta, actually - this has inspired a little curiosity about how she ended up in the "hellhole."
"Ah. Yes, that was it - there was no plot-moving there"
I disagree. I think the plot-moving is just more subtle than we're used to. It's setting up for later. I mean, imagine if AE had left Kiersta punishing Mack with clean-up duty until this chapter. The sex in the previous chapter would have been pointless sex until there was a reason for it.
What a big relief, as a reader and writer, to see Mack get some outside support. I've been pretty unhappy with the past handful-- she's getting whipped six ways from Sunday. She has to make her own decisions, and then gets trounced for making the wrong ones. She has to deal with situations without any sort of input, and then feels guilty for the way she deals. It's great for a passage or two, but a reader would like some closure.
Personally, I can see why kheirsis is unsure about Amaranth's abilities to take care of a sub! Amaranth ought to take a real good look at how Mack handles Two, and how she's helped Two become autonomous.
Anyone else notice the little bit of Mariel in the background?
[Begin Wild-Ass Guessing!]
Maybe Tara and Sara Were telling the truth, that it was like that when they got there? It is a rather lot for someone to have done on short notice, but who do we know that moves at supernatural speeds? Mariel could have pulled it off, and has motive to do it to lash-out at Mack and this would have seemed a golden opportunity to her.
Of course nobody believed the Leightons because Tara is Miss Queen Bitchy-Bitchy McGee of Clan McBitch, and naturally scenting blood in the water when she lashed out her bitch-tendrils and got a nibble from Hazel decided to push things. Tara is a former Skirmish player, she fears no 'Bunny'.. but.
"..By Shire Law, Ghost who Bakes calls forth the power.. of Ten Ponies!"
Tara- "Bring it Bunny-Bitch, Bring i-"
Hazel- "RAWR!"
Tara- "*ASSKICKED!*"
Sara- "Oh Shit!"
Hazel- "For Pony!"
Tara- "*Double-ASSKICKED!*"
Dee- "Right, what's all this then!!?"
Everybody- "*OWNED!*"
Mariel quite possibly wasn't expecting the whole situation to ASPLODE like that, and now is wondering what.. if anything.. she should do about it.
Hmmm im not so sure Mariel would still want to truely hurt Mack . Ya she might still not like her but mack did stand up for her when she thought puddy was gonna beat her . As for the twins lets not forget they had an entire night to do the deed .
“They trashed the bathroom,” I said coming forward. “Because Kiersta said I have to clean it.”
I'm pretty sure that her and Feejee have to clean it... and that I spelled that name wrong >< also, there should probably be a comma between said and coming.
Kiersta is epic fail, seriously. If she hates it so much, she needs to leave.
Without going back to check the exact wording: K: The two of you will clean the bathroom for the next week. M: But you just forbid us be there at the same time. K: Then you each do alone on alternate days. M: But that's an odd number of days. K: Then you clean it for one week, and Feejee cleans for the next week.
This may be the subject of a future OT or MToMU, but I'd like to know a bit more about the other parts of Harlowe. Maybe Kiersta is an exception, but my imagination makes me think non-human RAs are fairly rare. The members of various races are fairly insular culturally speaking. And some are fairly wealthy to be attending a major imperial university, so they could likely afford to live off campus, if not have their own area like dwarves or elves. It might be hard to find somebody of the 'monstrous races" with the need and the will to be an RA in a hellhole.
I need to stop using awesome so much in my daily language allotment lest it become watered down and meaningless, but, my god. Dee is awesome. I took a hiatus from Tales of MU because of how frustratingly stupid Mack was getting, but thank goodness the random chapter that I picked had Dee kicking ass in it. I would've been much less likely to take a hiatus if Dee was the main character/narrator, she rocks so much in comparison to the rest of the spineless fools around Harlowe.
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.2){kind=small}
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif?v=92.2){kind=small}
February 25 2009, 08:31:34 UTC 3 years ago
February 25 2009, 11:26:57 UTC 3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
February 25 2009, 08:56:08 UTC 3 years ago
February 25 2009, 09:16:11 UTC 3 years ago
Uggggh
I don't know who the hell is worse, the Leighton twins or the Kiersta...Three thoughts do occur to me though.
Can we see Dee's confrontation with Kiersta in the next bonus story.
What ever happened to Twyla, I don't recall seeing her lately
Can Mackenzie ever catch a freakin break? Seems like things just keep spiraling down the drain for the poor girl.
February 25 2009, 20:02:42 UTC 3 years ago
Re: Uggggh
Thing is, though, she pretty much brings them on herself. For a clever person, she doesn't half switch her brain off a lot of the... oh... first year university student and born academic who's just discovered sex. Right.Yeah, good call - where Twyla?
February 25 2009, 10:31:00 UTC 3 years ago
Also, I hope that Kiersta actually listens to Dee. I know that her character is stressed, but there is only so much that she can allow to happen before someone takes notice (I hope).
(I also nominate that conversation for the next OT)
February 25 2009, 16:50:34 UTC 3 years ago
3 years ago
February 25 2009, 10:38:59 UTC 3 years ago
If Tara dies-- or sustains permanent unhealable brain damage because the injury is left untreated too long-- what happens to Sara? And their shared body?
I think something like that happening has been set up very nicely, especially in this chapter where Sara is increasingly vehement in denying that "she" did certain things that Tara did. Her weak, silly, but not fundamentally malicious personality is really struggling to differentiate itself from Tara's bitch monster of death. If her sister loses brain function, I really wonder what's going to happen to the both of them.
Also, I love Two's reaction to the piercings:
"They're horrible!"
"Amaranth gave them t--"
"Oh, okay."
Really nice little moment that shows how much comfort Two, the former chattel who still dreams of the days when everything was okay because she was just someone's property, takes in Mackenzie's perceivedly similar status as Amaranth's "toy." If Amaranth did it to Mackenzie, no matter what it was, it's Officially Okay, because Amaranth is Mackenzie's owner. Disturbing, yes, but very convincing and subtle.
Also also, I just realized how powerfully Dee reminds me of Judith Martin's "Miss Manners" persona. You know, if Miss Manners were the dark priestess of a forsaken deity of infinite intricacy... oh wait. ;)
February 25 2009, 14:42:21 UTC 3 years ago
You win an internet.
3 years ago
February 25 2009, 11:04:15 UTC 3 years ago
February 25 2009, 11:40:13 UTC 3 years ago
Dee say Wha...
Holy monkey ninja, Dee(AKA Queen of Calm Composure) lost it, yelled AND "Swore". *0o0* I soooo wanna see what she says to Kiersta.Tara needs to slip into a coma! I think Sara might be salcagable if her her sister wasn't actively around.
ToMU+MoToMU=MUniverse Extended!
"AE's creativity.....IT'S OVER 9000!"
"I must not Ook. Ook is the mind-killer. Ook is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my Ook. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the Ook has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
February 25 2009, 12:54:39 UTC 3 years ago
February 25 2009, 15:44:53 UTC 3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
February 25 2009, 14:04:51 UTC 3 years ago
Messy, but fun.
Dee will sort out the mess and Kiersta. Hazel has sorted out Tara. Mack might have to sort out Kai, but since Kiersta was the one who got everyone up, she should be the one to suffer. I wonder if Kai can do Doctor Tofu Ono's bottom-pat of delayed paraplegia from Ranma ½? That would be fun.As a priestess of intricacy, Dee will know that sometimes a post can be filled by someone who is not capable. If that person cannot be replaced in that post then those that are able must support and manage them until such time as they become capable, or a replacement can be made. Maybe Kiersta will be joining Mack and Dee for their meditation session. And I wonder whether Dee can do the old "wring and rinse" detox? (This can be done in a number of ways, both magical and herbal, but basically forces all of the alcohol and metabolites out of the body by the shortest path - front hole, back holes and sweat pores included. It is without a doubt one of the more unpleasant things a body can experience. Side effects include massively accelerated and condensed withdrawal symptoms and near inability to stomach alcohol in future. That's the "wring". You must make sure there will be plenty of clean water available for the "rinse" - the subject will be dehydrated and rank.)
If Dee does sort it, I suppose that means we can rule out Kiersta trying to murder one of her charges. I don't think she would have been much good at it, hence the lighter edge.
"She tried to kill my Maliko! How dare she!!" [ha-dou-ken!]
"You're not supposed to attack me like that." [zap!]
"You're-too-too-too-slow!!" [hitbashthumpwallopslapkickprodpunch...]
"Hey, do you think we can eat her now?"
"ssssssssssssssSTTT!!"
"." [petrify]
Tara must be in a bad way for Dee to get that exercised over her. It is possible for a conjoined twin to survive the death of their sibling, but there is a great risk of the survivor getting dragged down after them sooner or later. Usually sooner. If Tara descends into a vegetative state, Sara might well survive. Whether she would be able to gain full control of the other half of her body is another matter.
Hazel was probably too furious to think tactically (not that her tactics were ineffective!) but with her height, she should practice elbow strikes at opponents knees. Not the easiest thing to pull off, but in a world with instant healing, it provides immediate disablement and loss of mobility without risk of permanent harm. Of course, it's so much easier to do when one has hooves...
As to all the Owains, how do they tell them apart without their surnames? Are they pronounced with different emphasis? Owain as opposed to Owain as opposed to Owain?
February 25 2009, 17:00:35 UTC 3 years ago
Re: Messy, but fun.
My impression: the "Owains" are distinguished by context.3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
February 25 2009, 15:20:04 UTC 3 years ago
And you'd think given her experiences Mack wouldn't see "ass-chewing" as a figure of speech.
February 25 2009, 15:48:33 UTC 3 years ago
help
Can someone point me to the conversation where it's stated that Mack has to clean the bathroon? I was under the impression it was a one timer last time not an on going job, but perhaps I'm mistaken in this.Ki
February 25 2009, 15:57:34 UTC 3 years ago
Re: help
Reread the last chapter. Kiersta said Feejee and Mack have to take turns cleaning the bathroom for a week.3 years ago
February 25 2009, 17:02:08 UTC 3 years ago
TYPO Time
"through my parts of me"One of the possessives is redundant.
February 25 2009, 19:46:19 UTC 3 years ago
Re: TYPO Time
maybe short for many?3 years ago
February 25 2009, 17:27:17 UTC 3 years ago
Expectations
Dee FTW!> “Oh, well, if a woman’s expecting we say it’s a daughter and if a man is, we say it’s a son,” Honey said.
My head is spinning now. Must wait for it to stop.
That's why I like your writing so much.
February 25 2009, 18:04:55 UTC 3 years ago
Re: Expectations
I imagine it's a bit akin to pronouns. In theory. Talking about a man, you use he, him, his, and so forth. You also refer to his child as male. If otherwise, it's a girl.Although I expect this is far less a matter of pronouns and more a matter of excuses.
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
February 25 2009, 18:05:50 UTC 3 years ago
Aaahhhh nice
These are the chapters that I love. I always wanted to see the twins get beaten and it figures that it comes from one of the most win filled characters.February 25 2009, 19:24:20 UTC 3 years ago
Should have used Tara's head to
Mop up the shower
Tara and Sara
Table any discussion
About concussion
Dee has to delay
Meditiation to perform
Some mediation
February 25 2009, 19:56:58 UTC 3 years ago Edited: February 25 2009, 20:05:07 UTC
Secondly - the events moved a little... fast? Conveniently? Something about it felt a little off, as though rushing towards the conclusion for something, or to get some action out of the way, or to write a chapter for the sake of it rather than because there was some story to tell.
Ah. Yes, that was it - there was no plot-moving there, just a re-assertion of how various of the different characters tend to act, except kind of caricatured, and so it was a bit of a disappointment. Well, okay, there was a Tara-beating, which is almost fan-service (except maybe without enough detail for the hard-core Taraphobes), and presumably is a way of bringing on a separation of the Terrible 1½? Oh, will I never give up my vain habit of trying to second-guess AE?!
Sorry. But still: Dee for the win. I want to hear more about Kiersta, actually - this has inspired a little curiosity about how she ended up in the "hellhole."
February 25 2009, 20:05:36 UTC 3 years ago
I disagree. I think the plot-moving is just more subtle than we're used to. It's setting up for later. I mean, imagine if AE had left Kiersta punishing Mack with clean-up duty until this chapter. The sex in the previous chapter would have been pointless sex until there was a reason for it.
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
February 25 2009, 20:24:57 UTC 3 years ago
Personally, I can see why kheirsis is unsure about Amaranth's abilities to take care of a sub! Amaranth ought to take a real good look at how Mack handles Two, and how she's helped Two become autonomous.
February 26 2009, 02:08:07 UTC 3 years ago
3 years ago
February 25 2009, 21:54:18 UTC 3 years ago
Typo
“Of course you did,” Hazel harrumphed.I'm pretty sure you wanted Honey to harrumph, not Hazel.
February 25 2009, 22:14:31 UTC 3 years ago
[Begin Wild-Ass Guessing!]
Maybe Tara and Sara Were telling the truth, that it was like that when they got there? It is a rather lot for someone to have done on short notice, but who do we know that moves at supernatural speeds? Mariel could have pulled it off, and has motive to do it to lash-out at Mack and this would have seemed a golden opportunity to her.
Of course nobody believed the Leightons because Tara is Miss Queen Bitchy-Bitchy McGee of Clan McBitch, and naturally scenting blood in the water when she lashed out her bitch-tendrils and got a nibble from Hazel decided to push things. Tara is a former Skirmish player, she fears no 'Bunny'.. but.
"..By Shire Law, Ghost who Bakes calls forth the power.. of Ten Ponies!"
Tara- "Bring it Bunny-Bitch, Bring i-"
Hazel- "RAWR!"
Tara- "*ASSKICKED!*"
Sara- "Oh Shit!"
Hazel- "For Pony!"
Tara- "*Double-ASSKICKED!*"
Dee- "Right, what's all this then!!?"
Everybody- "*OWNED!*"
Mariel quite possibly wasn't expecting the whole situation to ASPLODE like that, and now is wondering what.. if anything.. she should do about it.
February 25 2009, 22:34:01 UTC 3 years ago
3 years ago
February 26 2009, 00:59:52 UTC 3 years ago
mariel vs lieghtons
Hmmm im not so sure Mariel would still want to truely hurt Mack . Ya she might still not like her but mack did stand up for her when she thought puddy was gonna beat her . As for the twins lets not forget they had an entire night to do the deed .February 26 2009, 04:56:11 UTC 3 years ago
Typo
“They trashed the bathroom,” I said coming forward. “Because Kiersta said I have to clean it.”I'm pretty sure that her and Feejee have to clean it... and that I spelled that name wrong >< also, there should probably be a comma between said and coming.
Kiersta is epic fail, seriously. If she hates it so much, she needs to leave.
February 26 2009, 06:07:23 UTC 3 years ago
Re: Typo
The punishment morphed under Mack's objections.Without going back to check the exact wording:
K: The two of you will clean the bathroom for the next week.
M: But you just forbid us be there at the same time.
K: Then you each do alone on alternate days.
M: But that's an odd number of days.
K: Then you clean it for one week, and Feejee cleans for the next week.
February 26 2009, 20:28:14 UTC 3 years ago
April 8 2009, 14:43:08 UTC 3 years ago
I need to stop using awesome so much in my daily language allotment lest it become watered down and meaningless, but, my god. Dee is awesome. I took a hiatus from Tales of MU because of how frustratingly stupid Mack was getting, but thank goodness the random chapter that I picked had Dee kicking ass in it. I would've been much less likely to take a hiatus if Dee was the main character/narrator, she rocks so much in comparison to the rest of the spineless fools around Harlowe.