The Good Thaumaturge

Remus: *glances at him slightly*

–This was originally in reply to someone’s question, so if the wording is odd… that’s why. I made the text a separate post on request. Enjoy!–

I don’t hate Felix or anything (he’s an interesting character, and his design is cool), but the reason some of us like Adrien more than Felix (and the reason that I think they went with Adrien in the end) is:

Felix is cold/mean. While Adrien is nice to everyone (even Chloe), Felix was planned to be extremely cold and condescending to Marinette. (All of these points are based off how the story was supposed to play out in the Felix version, btw, sorry if that’s confusing).

Felix is manipulative. In the Felix version, he was cursed with bad luck, and he was intentionally trying to woo Ladybug for the purpose of getting her to break the curse (I swear I read somewhere that he was trying to steal her Miraculous, but I can’t find a source so maybe it was a fan speculation???).

Felix is not a hero. While it’s safe to assume that Adrien would be protecting people even without Ladybug around, Felix was only part of the crime-fighting duo to get into Ladybug’s good graces. It was this point in particular which creators (even, reportedly, Astruc) found unconvincing. It also sets kind of a bad precedent to celebrate him as a hero when he’s really just using Ladybug as Chat and being a jerk to Marinette as Felix.

Felix is  actually more of a villain. He’s manipulating Ladybug in order to get what he wants from her, while being mean to Marinette as his alter ego… wait, isn’t that supposed to be Hawkmoth’s job? The Felix version could be viewed as imbalanced since Ladybug’s only real ally (right now) is Chat, and in the Felix version, Chat isn’t actually her ally at all.

Felix perpetuates the myth that ‘girls can change bad guys with their love’. In the Felix version, Ladybug’s goodness and love eventually won Felix over and made him change his ways. While this Beauty and the Beast story structure is certainly popular (even stereotypical), it’s not realistic, and to a degree it sets up harmful expectations for young girls watching the show.

Felix’s version sets a bad example for kids watching. For all of the reasons listed above, Felix isn’t exactly a good role model. One of the things Astruc has mentioned, and something I and others love about MLB is that the protagonists set a beautiful example for how to be a good person. The current Chat is a flirt, but he’s always a gentleman: he’s never rude or intimidating. He’s obsessed with Ladybug, but he always respects her space and her wishes. He loves her for who she is, not for what he can get from her, and he genuinely adores her - he’s not pretending just to get what he wants. As Adrien, he’s just as considerate. Even though Adrien doesn’t like Marinette, he’s never mean to her or rude. On the contrary, he’s encouraging and kind whenever they interact, and that kindness extends to everyone (even Chloe). For boys and girls watching, the current version of Chat (in my opinion) sets a much better example for the boys emulating his behavior and girls and boys formulating ideas on what to expect from their future romantic partners.

Think what a healthy example the current version sets: Ladybug is herself, JUST herself (she wears a mask but she doesn’t cater to anyone’s needs or expectations of her). She’s strong, she’s smart, she’s in charge, and she doesn’t pretend to be any less. And Chat absolutely adores her for that. He doesn’t try to manipulate her, or overpower her, or get the best of her. He only wants to support her, fight by her side, and be her partner. He respects her and it shows. And Adrien is the type of person who treatseveryone with respect - even people like Chloe and his father.

me and my alter ego ahdbsjd

I think my alterego looks pretty cool I'd hang out with her if she doesn't bully me or something.

There isn’t much difference between the two but

My bitmoji or whatever the hell it’s called looks like this (except wayyyyy more emo) so she’s my alter ego

Myself looks like this and my alter ego or me in AU is a colorful bubble! (idk but these two look similar to me)

Rumors!

//This is the next part of Sorry to Let You Down

A/N: You can thank/kill me later! Stay tuned to see our favorite couple break apart; I feel obliged to say sorry beforehand. Without further ado,

Cinder’s Perspective

Like the day before, Kai was not present in their chambers till midnight. The meeting had gone for long and Cinder had come to realize that even if she waited for him, it would not make much of a difference. He would not talk to her. She would not know what to say which would be followed by an awkward silence and later both of them pretending but not going to sleep- just being motionless on the mattress. Hence, she gave in and slept early although sleep never came early.

Early morning both pretended to be non-existent around each other until Cinder decided to take matters in her hand.

“My results are out.”

“Huh?” He played to not hear.

“I said my results are out.”

“Which results?” he asked as if he had completely forgotten. The nerve he had to ask ‘which results’ after having asked her to take the very same test not once but twice- just yesterday.

“Don’t pretend Kai-”

“I really don’t remember, would you enlighten me about this test Cinder?”

“Can’t you just get over the drama and accept that you know, it’s not like you could forget it” she huffed.

“You can’t just tell me straightway can you? Oh why would you- you like keeping secrets, don’t you Cinder?”

“So now I am the one keeping secrets, tell me what have I been hiding that you are so desperate to know?”

“So now you want me to narrate your examples?”

“I have nothing hidden to be given as an example; it’s you who is making a fuss!”

“Oh! So what of that time when I almost caught you talking to Thorne, where you abruptly ended the comm-”

“WHAT?” she exclaimed.

She had no idea what he was talking about until it clicked- “Do you really think so shallow of me Kai? Like are you blind and stop making false accusations for God’s sake, you are THE EMPEROR!”

“Really, Cinder? You made the mess and now I have to solve it-do you even know what I had to hear from the world leaders and palace staff”

“I made the fuss but I was ready to solve it as well, if not for you just pushing me away-”

Someone had said it right, people in fight do not listen to understand, they listen to reply. This is what both of them were doing; cutting short each other’s words half-way trying to prove them as right in the most horrific way possible. She was sure that he was letting out all the week’s frustration on her. She was doing nothing different.

“You had to just do a test, did you even-”

“Oh! So you now completely remember about this test-”

“How can I forget with everyone spreading rumors about your so-called affairs?”

“The results for the same test came out.” She yelled in his face. Realization seemed to dawn upon him as he shut his mouth. Good for him because Cinder was not going to remain calm, while Kai made false accusations against her.

“News flash: You already know that I have no affair going on, especially not with Thorne and the baby is definitely yours! What a shame if you were questioning it as well!” She bawled.

“Stop” he said his breathing ragged. “Please”

He jumped to his feet and moved for the door. Cinder was not done yet. She would not be done until she had served Kai right for his indictments.

“I thought you would like to know, since you were so vocal about your doubts so far. Tell me Emperor; are you glad about the recent clarification of events?”

He did not say anything, did not even give an indication of hearing her but just went for the bathroom perhaps with moisture laden eyes. She knew him very well to know that he went to have some space and cry his eyes out.

She really had gone too far this type but so had he. She was here sitting at the foot of the bed, pressing the sole of her palms into her eyes. Trying her hard not to lose control, not to shut down. Her retina display was panicking as it always did when she was apprehensive. Red diagnostics flared up in the corner of her vision-warnings: BLOOD PRESSURE TOO HIGH, HEART RATE TOO FAST, SYSTEM OVERHEATING, INITIALIZING AUTO-COOL RESPONSE… and what not.

She winced recalling the instants that had taken place formerly; a pounding sensation in her head .They had fought, like cats and dogs trying to tear each other apart.

The faucet turned on, turned off. Kai walked out, composed and regal. Cinder did not look up, she continued to press the sole of her palms into her eyes. He stormed out, closing the door with a loud bang- making her flinch. He had left without a word- he must have looked at her pitiful figure and thought that she was not worth his time. Not now, not ever.

Was this the end? The end of her happy marriage.

–

Rumors! 

//This is an update of  The Brootp that accidentally became the OTP!

Cinder’s perspective- 

Cinder really did not know how she ended up in a circumstance like those. She recalled running into Kai, only to be completely avoided by him. He did not even smile at her. She was sort of expecting him to show such behavior but she wanted him to embrace her in his loving and protecting arms and tell her that ‘It is okay, you don’t have to worry’. She wanted his condolences,  but who was she kidding this time?

Uh! Cinder, he had every right to act like that, but that does not mean he has to act like that.

She had crashed into him only to be fixed in position by him. He had held her arms and prevented her from falling on him probably. She was going to bear hug him only when she noticed he was avoiding eye contact with her, only to tell Torin something.

“Your Majesty, the Emperor has some urgent business to attend to. He is sorry that he has to take your leave.” Torin said. As if Cinder could really not understand.

She had awkwardly withdrawn herself from his embrace and watched him go- Go away from her. He had not returned since then and both of them had barely exchanged words after that incident.

It was not like he was avoiding her, maybe he really was busy. However, she had texted him upon hearing that his meeting had ended but he had not replied to it. Her internal newsfeed popped up a message which said, “Emperor returned, cyborgs no longer in need of guardians.” It appears the meetings with Camilla were successful.

The consciousness dawned upon her that she got to know about the result of the meetings from the press and not Kai, who told her every single detail about those nasty meetings just 2 days before.

Cinder had taken upon herself to solve the calculations that were formed between the two, she was not really sure if complications had already formed but Kai’s behavior had to mean something.

If Kai would not reply to her texts then Torin would. She decided to ask him about what Kai was into to which he replied rather immediately that they were in a meeting. He told that Kai would be out of his task in about an hour or two. The strange thing was that Torin had told her about it without even asking it. Was she just being too obvious or was Torin a good reviewer of character? Unmistakably, it was her who was being too obvious. Who asks the royal advisor questions like that?  

It was 2100 already, and waiting for Kai would require a long time. Yet she decided to lose her sleep and went on watching procrastinating videos to pass time. Stars above! She had totally forgotten that watching videos with such soothing music will make you fall asleep and- Dang! That’s what happened. Before she could talk to Kai she had fallen into slumber. Only to be woken up in bed the next day with Kai not beside her. Disappointed and sadness overwhelmed her. She was definitely failing in her ‘problem solver’ duties.

She could hear water running in the bathroom. Maybe she was lucky, Kai had not left yet. Her internal clock said it was 0500. Kai had woken up an hour earlier than usual, probably just to avoid her. He would be disheartened to know that his plan was not successful.

Cinder drew herself out of the comfy blankets and straightened up so rapidly, that she felt that her life was dependent on this action. Well, she was not sure about her life, but both her day and probably her marriage was on line today.

Before she could think about what was to say, he emerged out, not yet dressed completely in finery. His head was wet and sleek from shower and water droplets dripped near his neck and ears. Both of them were unexpected of others and fell into an awkward silence, avoiding looking at each other. After what seemed like an eternity of suffocation, he coughed and mumbled something under his breath and went to dress. Cinder could not decide what she wanted to say and Kai did not want to say something-anything at all, as it appeared so they maintained a silence which was more suffocating than peaceful.

He was all dressed up and ready to leave, when Cinder had the guts to say something.

“I’m sorry, I let you down.” She whispered, barely audible. She questioned if her voice had reached his ears but he gave an indication.

He was at the door and at the sound of her voice, he seemed to flinch and stand still. She thought that he would not reply anything but move on as if she had not said anything.

Without turning back or facing her, he groused, “Don’t forget you have to take the prenatal test today.”

Saying this he walked out leaving her alone-alone in her thoughts. She had completely forgotten about that and hearing Kai recall it just made it ten times worse. Her head throbbed; she wanted to cry her heart out. Alas, wishes don’t come true for cyborgs like her.

___

 “Your Majesty!” Torin called, walking all the way down the corridor.

“Yes Torin?”

He avoided her eyes and hesitantly said, “The Emperor has asked me to inform you that you are asked not to attend the meetings for a time-being”

What a wound to her already mourning heart that was!

“And why does the Emperor want me to not attend the meetings?”

Torin gave a look of daze; he was not expecting her to question Kai’s authority or he was about to lie and was regretting it.

“I guess it is because of the recent incidents”

Very well.

“Okay.” She turned to leave until Torin added, “He has also asked me to take the prenatal test today itself.”

“Tell the Emperor that The Empress does not need to be told twice” she replied with bitterness. If Kai wanted to act like this, then so would she.

“Is that all, Torin?”

After a long pause he decided to speak, weighing his words with accuracy yet compassion at the same time, “I’m sorry Cinder to be the bearer of bad news. Kai is having his share of problems too. Perhaps yesterday’s meeting did not go as planned. It seems he is forced to act in such a way.”

“You have nothing to feel sorry for Torin.  Do not justify the Emperor’s action; he has every right to be angry. Beside neither you nor me can question His Majesty’s decision.”

Likely given a final blow of resignation and regret, she left. Only to be surrounded by needles and medical equipment. Her internal computer had already searched about paternity tests for unborn children. All of them were quite safe with 100% accuracy. She had come across an article which said that the person tested could miscarry because of its risk and had gone into panic mode. After much convincing from Jacin and numerous assurances she was ready to go through this test. It was not like she was afraid- hell she had shot Levana and survived a stab in the heart but maternal instincts make every woman protective of their child, even if unborn. 

__

A/N: This chapter is short as i divided one chapter into two parts so the next part will be posted in a day or two.  I have no idea how the prenatal paternity tests go so I will likely skip the procedure and just move on with the story- i don’t know but I don’t want the story to be filled with technicalities. Believe me, this way it will be better for both of us.

Thorne, leaning on the counter seductively: only my love and desire for you

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