Mimi’s Writing Corner

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He is so unserious about identity theft 😭

If he loses, do you think he’ll try stealing Dr. Knox’s identity? 🤔

Prevent further identity fraud by voting for Russell here! [x] 🗳️

That’s so sad 😭

Anyways I can’t stop picturing this what-if scenario where for some reason Russell and Winry are in the same location sometime mid-series, and Winry overhears Russell introduce himself as Edward Elric (or he says it directly to her XD).

So she just stares at him with wide incredulous eyes.

And he’s just smirking all confident and smug like Oh yes, I’m so suave, she is so impressed with me—

And the protagonists of those three would get along splendidly, actually.

Percy (Jackson) and Thomas (Maze Runner) at the start of their respective stories: But what is—

Someone: Get with the program, Newbie!

Percy and Thomas: …

Percy and Thomas: I’m trying! That’s why I’m asking! 💢

Also:

Thomas shouting at Minho: Why are you being so negative! That’s not helping us find a way out of here at all!

Minho: You don’t get it! Your little hope won’t do anything!

Meanwhile Makoto Naegi (Danganronpa), the literal impersonation of Hope: This is insane… we have to stick together! We can get through this!

Do y’all see it? Cuz I see it.

Makoto and Thomas: both basically stuck in murder games to some extent, which are also an apocalypse*

Meanwhile Percy: I’m… not stuck in an apocalypse… but every living thing is definitely out to get me. *finger guns

Also I feel like Thomas is actually kind of the middle ground between Percy being a powerhouse professional at talking himself into trouble and Makoto being a noodle-armed professional at talking himself out of trouble. XD

Also, if you know all three fandoms and/or aren’t worried about spoilers (why would you be reading this post otherwise?)

Just

Pull up their girlfriends. Annabeth, Teresa, Kyoko (better known as Kirigiri).

The crossover is trying to write itself no matter what.

Freshly Post-Tartarus Percy and Annabeth thinking they’re finally about to LEAVE only to end up in a fucking maze.

Makoto Naegi trying very hard not to think about Kirigiri at the end of the Danganronpa 3 anime. Everything was supposed to be fixed right? Right?

WRONG, ENOSHIMA HAD ANOTHER PROJECT IN THE WORKS AND IT TRANSPORTS HIM INTO ANOTHER WORLD.

The plot will be in the works for as long as it takes me to catch up on reading and playing all of the source materials I haven’t had the time for yet but…

For now I’m calling it the Apocalypse Crossover. Not an AU. A crossover.

Maze Runner, Danganronpa and Percy Jackson.

1. 'It's fiction, it doesn't need to make sense!'

Most importantly, I do love Cassandra. What did they do to my girl type beat.

First, it's important to consider why Varian arguably works better as a villain:

Your honour he is a CHILD. He's 14, while Cassandra is like 23. While neither of their actions are good, and you can do stupid things as an adult, Varian was a child failed by the system.

Varian's arc is a sudden turn to villainy, but it still has backing. Not only does he go through a massive ordeal to try and get help for his dad, but he was turned away in the middle of a snowstorm for reasons that were not explained to him very well, and had a promise broken all at once. If it was just the issue of the promise, then it wouldn't be as solid of an arc; but we can see how it would develop to be a lot worse. His failure is also an ongoing sore spot for the character.

Cass' arc is supposed to be more slowburn, but it's still mostly heralded by remembering Gothel. It's meant to similarity compound her history of feeling snubbed and overlooked, but rings more hollow, as she targets the one person who doesn't do that. The issue isn't the turning point, it's that they treat the straw that broke the camel's back as the whole weight. Again, characters acting illogically is fine, but not when it's this extreme.

After being thrown out, no-one goes to check on Varian. This is critical, because I believe that if Rapunzel had turned up to Old Corona, he would have crumpled and not had a villain arc. Even if it didn't work. However, everyone treats him poorly after that, even wondering what he'll do with the withered remains of a healing flower??? Like, yes, you shouldn't kidnap a queen, but also maybe don't treat a hurt child like he's dangerous?

His big plan in Rapunzel's Return is also... to erase everyone's memories so they can be friends again. He doesn't want to kill anyone, doesn't even want to hurt everyone, even after having months to stew in his anger in prison.

Now, I don't hate Cass' arc, and I feel like all the pieces were there, and maybe not fit together quite in the right way. And I would like to say all the things I like about it, and why it works in the ways it does:

When she kidnaps Varian, she specifically says that she doesn't want to hurt him, and only cages him when he's talking sense into her. I think the main reason she shoves the cage away is so she doesn't have to listen anymore.

Obviously Once a Handmaiden is amazing at showing a Cass who wants to return to Rapunzel, one who understands her side of the story. And other moments throughout, when she questions, but Zhan Tiri pulls her back in.

Crossing the Line. Enough said.

What I would change/ didn't hit in the right way:

Cass quite clearly sets up motivations in Crossing the Line that really don't feel like they get brought up enough again. Especially the "I never got the chances you were given" idea. The main motive they seem to push is the Gothel line...

On that, the Gothel line of reasoning just doesn't make enough sense to me. Cass knows how much Rapunzel is haunted by being locked up, and probably knows the whole story (from her "was it your idea to push her out a window" line), and so she would know that Gothel never loved either of them. If she were a more emotional character, I would buy it, or even if they went more of just hurting from being abandoned instead of the victim-blamey route

Basically, I think that it should have been more of the whole "I worked hard for what I have, and it never takes me anywhere" idea expressed in Waiting in the Wings and Crossing the line. There's still ideas of it ("What I want, I'll take and keep"), but I actually think it could have been taken further. There's a lot of subtext about class in the show, and the power the royal family holds vs literally everyone else, even the Princess' best friend.

I would make Cass throughout the season seem more and more comfortable than she ever was in Corona, even compared to when we see her fight. In Corona, she was the Captain of the Guard's daughter, the Princess' handmaiden; always expected to behave properly and never quite allowed to unleash her full potential.

Maybe there's a part where she expresses that she might want to give up being a handmaiden and instead be something else; thus she argues with Rapunzel, who doesn't want to lose her best friend. That wouldn't be the angle Cass was going for, but she admits defeat in the fight.

Early on, we see she's having nightmares. Flashes of her life with Gothel, rigorous training in her teen years. They leave her haggard and snappy sometimes, but she wouldn't know where to begin if she wanted to explain it.

As their time on the road draws to a close, she knows that they're going back to Corona. She and Eugene worry about what will happen to Rapunzel when she touches the moonstone, but on a personal level, she knows she'll have to shut herself in again; and wonders if "alone but free" would be better.

Her decision to touch the moonstone isn't fully decided - but as she sees Rapunzel reach for it, she moved faster. We see her face, surprised at herself at first, but then determined, as she pulls it to her chest. Now, she's decided on this path.

At first, she doesn't actually intend to go back to Corona. This new life shouldn't be about Rapunzel; but Zhan Tiri convinces her to return, that taking the moonstone wasn't enough. Soon people will come after her for it, and besides, she's struggling to control the moonstone. Similar to the show, but with more of her pushing away the idea of seeing Rapunzel again at first. She tries to get back that spark she had on the road, but the rocks sometimes appear when she doesn't want them to, and it's not fun when everyone's scared of you.

"Be Very Afraid" has a good idea with Rapunzel sensing Cass' fear through the rocks, although I'd also add Cass sensing Rapunzel's fear of her losing herself, and of losing her. I would take out the fear about Cass destroying Corona. However, I would actually move it to after Cassandra's Revenge.

Islands Apart would be slightly modified. The Captain had previously, upon hearing about Cass' turn, leaves Corona to track her down. There's a hint of their encounter in a previous episode. Basically, instead of searching for Rapunzel and finding the island, he blindly believes he can bring Cass back, and turns to denial.

I feel like Cassandra's Revenge should be fine to be relatively untouched, although I'd add more moments of her seeming to be putting on bravado she doesn't actually feel. We get this with her not wanting to hurt Varian, and that is the feel of Nothing Left to Lose; but I want more when Rapunzel is there as well. Conflicted looks before sending "death" blows, even refusing to look when she squeezes Eugene with the rocks. More Zhan Tiri in her ear, constantly, nattering.

I'm not sure how I feel about the whole "making her tower out of the remains of Rapunzel's". Like, it fits the character, but it does harken back to the Gothel arc. I reckon it's fine honestly. Symbolism about how she has trapped herself in this situation

I need something more about class in there, and power dynamics. Rapunzel having to defend people who stand up to power. She reflects on the way she's been treated by those who have power over her, but now considering Cass, who's been through similar things: both raised by Mother Gothel, and then gaining overbearing dads.

Varian expresses sympathy with Cass, even after Cassandra's Revenge, and tells Rapunzel, because he's also been there. Eugene was literally about to be executed for being a thief, without a trial. He also admits the conversation him and Cass had, worrying about Rapunzel touching the moonstone. Maybe he says something like "if I knew for certain that touching that stone would have hurt you, I couldn't have promised not to take it myself".

They all reflect on how free and happy Cass seemed on the road, even in moments of danger. How unhappy she actually seems in her decision. "If you love it, let it go."

Back to Cass; after the newly moved events of Be Very Afraid, she worries she's losing control. First, the Moonstone chipped, she lost to Rapunzel, and now she knows that her mask is slipping. This is what motivates her search for the Mind Trap - she pretends that it's power, but really, all sense of safety has been lost to her.

Tale of Two Sisters does rub me slightly the wrong way. There's no way that Cass didn't know before this that Gothel was a piece of shit, and the one nice moment of the music box, even if Rapunzel had hid it, wouldn't have changed that she clearly didn't love Cass enough to not abandon her. I would still have the events happen, but when Rapunzel tries to talk sense into her about Gothel, she explodes about every other issue. "It was never about my mother! Are you selfish enough to think that everything's about you?"

In Once a Handmaiden, the catalyst for her abandoning Zhan Tiri would instead be more to do with her realising how pushy she was being about taking over Corona - which Cass never wanted. She wanted control over herself and freedom, not to rule. In her anger, she even breaks down her own tower, before returning to Corona.

The whole ordeal with Project Obsidian still happens, although that actually doesn't make her snap. She points her sword at Varian, but at his confusion and apologies, even dropping the weapon, she sighs. "Some things don't change, do they?"

Instead, what makes her snap is someone actually expressing that idea of "once a handmaiden". She realises that coming back to Corona means more restrictions, and even though she is a bit miserable like this, she doesn't want to lose that freedom. Maybe someone mutters something about "knowing her place", and she snaps - maybe the rocks at first react to her emotions. Although taking over Corona was never her goal, it clearly feels good to unleash her full power.

Plus et en Vous would also be pretty much the same, but Rapunzel would explain what she realised a while ago; that she doesn't need Cass to be her handmaiden again. In the same way Cass freed her from the confinement of being Princess, Rapunzel frees Cass from the responsibility she's held for so long. "I shouldn't have been blind to your happiness, Cass. I assumed if you were unhappy, you'd let me know... but when has life ever been that simple?"

Those are the main points I think, although another big change I'd make is her not suddenly talking with the Evil Voice. I know it's a kids show, but the outfit and pointy black rocks should show that she's the bad guy. And I know Varian also does it, but he's literally just in his edgy phase.

Also I know this isn't too different from her actual arc. One of the main issues is there's too many episodes where Cass just doesn't feature?

When someone is...

Sad

Face/Body:

Avoidant/reduced eye contact

Drooping eyelids

Downcast eyes

Frowning

Raised inner ends of eyebrows

Dropped or furrowed eyebrows

Quivering lip/biting lip

Wrinkled nose

Voice:

Soft pitch

Low lone

Pauses/hesitant speech

Quiet/breathy

Slow speech

Voice cracks/breaking voice

Gestures/Posture:

Slouching/lowered head

Rigid/tense posture

Half formed/slow movement

Fidgeting or clasped hands

Sniffing or heavy swallows

(Which I really should do more research on; inspired by this)

Odysseus cries when Polites first wakes up

Eurylochus almost cries. Instead just let’s out a very shaky, relieved sigh and tells his friend “I’m glad you’re back”

his vision is messed with in that classic “Eye for an eye” vibe

His left arm is broken and yet he still insists on greeting the world with open arms

“Don’t you mean open arm?”

“You hush, Perimedes.”

So much survivor’s guilt but he’s very thankful to be alive and honors his fallen friends with Ody and everyone else

He basically can’t walk without help

Odysseus carves him a cane himself

It has a bunch of super cool details, including a winion

Polites adores it

(perhaps they go back to the Lotus Eater island and kidnap a winion for Polites? Like a comfort animal. Give Polites, my Disney Princess Pancake, a familiar plz)

But Polites needs a lot of help with things that require both arms or both legs or gods forbid all four

one dumbass numbnuts comments “would’ve been kinder to let him die” under his breath after Polites wakes up

Captain nearly throws him overboard

obviously

“My best friend would be delighted to live life in whatever form it came to him! You shut your fucking mouth and if I ever hear you ask such wretched nonsense again I’m going to put you on latrine duty for a month, am I understood?”

Eurylochus has to hold him back during this

Eurylochus also immediately assumes position of bodyguard of Polites.

He and Odysseus soon begin fighting over this job

they decide to share custody

(eventually)

OPEN ARMS REPRISES BUT HES ACTUALLY ALIVE!!!!

plot? Oh yeah plot

lmao what plot

after the Cyclopes passes out Ody is too busy making sure his friend is okay (which he is not). He gets somebody to check the other smashees and then stays by Poli’s side (no, he don’t give a shit that he’s captain, you guys go stab his eye, he’s asleep it’s not that fucking hard)

Odysseus carries Polites when the Cyclopes wakes up

he’s too busy thinking about getting him back to the ship and calling the best doctors from the 12 ships so he tells everyone to grab the sheep and HUSTLE

Athena grabs him and starts with her “HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE LESSONS I TAUGHT YOU? HE’S STILL A THRE-”

“ATHENA IM BUSY RN WE CAN TALK LATER”

“BUT HE’S STILL ALIVE-”

“WE’RE LEAVING BRO! HE’S NOT GONNA FUCKING SWIM AFTER US!”

they’re not on best terms for a while after that but they still reconcile after

then they get home! Whoop de do, congrant, 99.7777777778% of the canon plot avoided

when they get home and our sunshine is actually properly long-term treated, Odysseus and Telemachus’s first big father-son bonding project is to make Polites’ house more accessible for him

and Telemachus fucking loves Polites. Best Uncle Award. They vibe so hard that Odysseus cries

he almost cries when Penelope starts weaving clothes that are easier for his friend to wear. He’s a tiinnyyy bit jealous but he’s still so happy. And Penelope noticed and weaves her dear husband some clothes too, all his old ones are stinky asf

Eurylochus and all Poli’s friends from the ship still visit regularly. It’s just a big happy family

and nobody dies, not even Nobody

Yong: *sees Hugo and Varian together*

Yong: They're cute. I would put them on a boat.